"Shrek the Third" Makes Being Green Look Easy

Kermit the Frog may have some issues about being green, but that color suits a certain good-hearted ogre perfectly in "Shrek the Third," the latest installment of the popular film franchise. Cleverly written and executed, this animated gem is, as Shrek himself might say, just a wee bit naughty as well.

While King Harold (voice of John Cleese), ruler of the mythical land called Far, Far Away, lies ill, Shrek (Mike Myers) and his wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), fill in for her father at official palace functions. Shrek, unfortunately, feels a bit awkward at fancy dress parties and boat christenings, so most of these events end in disaster.

The King takes a turn for the worse, however, and, on his deathbed, asks his son-in-law Shrek to take over the throne permanently. The ogre, knowing he's not right for the job, begs him to find someone else, so King Harold tells Shrek to locate Arthur (Justin Timberlake), a young lad who's next in line for the throne behind Shrek and Fiona.

Along with his friends Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas), Shrek sails off to find the Once and Future King. As he's leaving the shores of Far, Far Away, Fiona casually informs her husband that he's soon going to become a father.

Meanwhile, the nasty Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), Fiona's former suitor, has been reduced to acting in cheesy dinner theater productions. Frustrated with his new career, Charming decides to claim the throne of Far, Far Away for himself. With Captain Hook (Ian McShane), the Evil Queen (Susan Blakeslee) and a host of other fairy tale villains at his command, Prince Charming leads an attack on the peaceful kingdom while Shrek is away.

Even funnier than the original, "Shrek the Third" is a perfect blend of computer animation and clever writing. Directors Chris Miller and Raman Hui have created a film that can either bring the whole franchise to a satisfying conclusion or branch off in new directions.