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Film trilogies are rarely a good idea. When a film is successful, it often spawns a sequel. Some exceed the achievements of the first. Some don't. But third films are generally speaking a film too far. Shrek the Third is such a film.

Shrek was an inspired idea. The idea of turning an ogre, the traditional villain of so many fairy stories, into the bad tempered, bald green hero who gets the girl was wonderfully subversive. Shrek Two followed suit, once again making the worthwhile point that you don't have to be good looking to deserve a happily ever after. It was successful because it did not just try to replicate the first film; it continued with the story. The action was taken away from the swamp to the Land of Far, Far away, allowing for more fairy tale puns and the introduction of new characters to capture the affections such as Puss in Boots. In short, it still entertained, it still raised laughs. It was still vital.

Shrek the Third is an example of what happens when you take a story beyond its natural conclusion. It makes painful viewing, especially for fans of it's two predessessors. The plot is thin, mainly because the first two films had used up everything worthwhile. To compensate, the writers and producers resort to Schmaltz. The whole story is centred on Shrek's coming to terms with fatherhood, something he finds daunting because he has 'issues'. However, when he takes Arthur, the true heir of the Kingdom under his wing, he realises how rewarding parenthood can be.

It's probably so nauseating because precious little distracts the viewer from how obvious this cliched central premise is. There is little effort to develope existing characters. After showing so much promise in the second film, Puss doesn't get much further than being an amorous but cute sword fighting cat. The three little pigs, the gingerbread man and the wolf all turn up again for no particular reason. The medieval high school is frankly dull. Probably the only vaguely amusing part was the fairytale princesses. But only vaguely. They after all were only being feisty because the pregnant Princess Fiona couldn't be.

All that the film demonstrates is that a strong character needs a strong vehicle to take him anywhere. The wheels have well and truly fallen off this one. Shrek the Third was a sad finale to an otherwise great set of films.

At least I hope it was the finale.

Learn more about this author, Natasha Sheldon.
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