Shrek the Third - PG

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Princess power saves the day for ogre and pals.

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Rating: PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action. Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Directed By: Chris Miller Cast: Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers Running Time: 93 minutes Release Date: 05/17/2007 Genre: Family and Kids

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that, like the previous two Shrek films, this movie includes jokes aimed at adults that will go over the head of most kids. While parents chuckle about Fuzzy Navels and Mojitos (is drinking necessary in a PG film, by the way??), the "Versarchery" logo, and Shrek's hesitance to face fatherhood, their kids will just laugh at the antics of their fairytale friends. There's some cartoon violence (sword-fights, punches), which is often played for laughs. Expect even your youngest kid to want to see this one -- if they watch TV, go with you to the supermarket, or eat at McDonalds, chances are they've seen Shrek in ads for everything from junk food to anti-obesity PSAs (talk about mixed messages!).

Families can talk about what made kids want to see this movie -- the story or all the product tie-ins. Do kids want a product because Shrek is pictured on it? Parents can also discuss the movie's girl power issues. Why do the princesses respond to their situation by "assuming the position to be rescued"? How do Fiona and the Queen challenge the ladies to take matters into their own hands? In terms of the film franchise, should the Shrek movies continue, or this is a good one to finish it off? Which of the three movies is the best, and why?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen

It's not an animated masterpiece like the enchanting first two classics, but SHREK THE THIRD is still one of those rare films that everyone from preschoolers to grandparents will find irresistibly amusing.

Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz return as happily married ogres Shrek and Fiona, who inherit the kingdom of Far Far Away from ailing King Harold (John Cleese). Shrek doesn't think he's fit to wear a crown, so he and dependably side-splitting sidekicks Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) set out to find the only other living heir to the throne, Arthur Pendragon (Justin Timberlake) -- but not before Fiona announces she's royally pregnant.

While Shrek faces his fear of fatherhood and attempts to convince young Artie -- a hesitant, insecure teenager -- to succeed King Harold, things go awry in Far Far Away. Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) rounds up a motley crew of fairytale villains, including Captain Hook (Ian McShane, once again mastering a scary character) and one of the Ugly Stepsisters (Regis Philbin), to instigate a coup and imprison Fiona, Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), and beloved princesses Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White (voiced by comedy actresses Amy Sedaris, Cheri Oteri, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler, respectively).

The princess-in-peril subplot proves to be the most entertaining. The ladies prepare to simply assume the position they want to be rescued in (Beauty plops down on a bunk and snoozes, Cinderella scrubs the floor, etc.) until Fiona and the queen challenge them to unleash their inner warriors. Inspired, they immediately rip their sleeves and pouffy hems and get ready to rumble instead of passively waiting for a valiant prince to arrive.

One of the movie's most memorable moments is Snow White summoning her woodland animal friends with a sweet high-pitched song, only to start belting out Fergie's cover of Barracuda as she storms the castle. Parents will also get a kick out of the other hits on the soundtrack. Wings' Live and Let Die accompanies a key scene, and Donkey sings Harry Chapin's Cats in the Cradle after hearing Shrek's daddy issues.

When the baby ogres finally arrive, it's clear that the producers are clearing the way for a possible fourth film. But the slightly watered down Shrek the Third isn't an improvement on its predecessors, so perhaps it's time to let Fiona and Shrek enjoy their happily ever after once and for all.

Families who want more fairy-tale fun should check out Shrek, Shrek 2, and the tween-friendly Ella Enchanted and The Princess Bride.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Shrek and Fiona are affectionate and kiss; they're shown sleeping in the same bed (it's implied that Shrek is naked, but you don't see anything). Two other couples hug, and Puss flirts with various female cats. Puss starts to explain where children come from (a man is "full of urges" for his wife) but is cut off; Doris says Charming makes her "hotter than July."
Violence The villains and heroes of fairytale lore engage in face-to-face battle with sticks, swords, fists, and more. Most of the violence is quick and leads to laughs, so kids aren't likely to be scared.
Language Basic PG words and insults: "butt," "dork," "loser," "poop," "stupid," "twit," "royally beeped."
Message
	Social Behavior The princesses are selfish and a bit stereotypical at first but eventually prove to be good role models, since they defend themselves rather than waiting to be rescued. Fairytale villains choose to be good. Typical high school relationships (popular kids picking on those who don't fit in, etc.) are played for laughs.
	Commercialism Same as before; real labels are parodied for humor. Versace logo is shown as "Versarchery," men flock to "Ye Olde Hooters," etc. Shrek is also the spokes-ogre for a wide variety of real-life products, including candy and fast food -- while simultaneously appearing in anti-obesity ads for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Fuzzy navels are ordered at a bar where characters drink out of steins and glasses. Puss proposes that he and Shrek drink mojitos. Students at Artie's high school tumble out of a smoke-filled carriage talking about frankincense and myrrh in an obvious pot reference.