DVD Release Date:  November 13, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: May 18, 2007
Rating:  PG (for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action)
Genre:  Animation/Drama
Run Time: 93 min.
Director: Chris Miller and Ramen Hui
Voice Talents of: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Eric Idle, Justin Timberlake,

What does an ogre do when he really doesn’t want to be king?  He searches the world for the next logical relative and coerces him to return to the land of Far Far Away and assume his royal position. 

It is Shrek’s quest for Arthur (“Arty”) and the challenges he faces getting him on the throne that make for a fun ride in Shrek the Third.  With cleverly-written, well-voiced, all-star humor and impeccable animation, this latest fairy tale movie is marred only by a few typical Hollywood worldview elements and some scatological humor.

The story begins with the frog king (John Cleese) dying, and even his death is hilarious, with him gagging and choking and passing out, only to come back again three times to utter short, meaningful quips to his family.  It turns out that he wants Shrek (Mike Myers) to be king but is willing for a distant relative, young Arthur (Justin Timberlake), to take the throne, if necessary.  Shrek, who is extremely uncomfortable in the world of royal palaces, tight, kingly outfits, wigs, makeup, and formality, thinks that a replacement is definitely necessary and sets out to find the teenage heir.

He sails off with his donkey friend (Eddie Murphy) and the famous Puss N’ Boots cat, (Antonio Banderas), and the last thing he hears his wife (Cameron Diaz) yelling to him is that she’s pregnant.  Shrek has nightmares about being a father to tons of little ogre babies with their projectile vomiting and breaking valuables habits, and he wakes up in a cold sweat to disembark.

The little team does find Arty, who happens to be an unpopular, oft-bullied teen at a hilarious medieval high school.  Shrek convinces him that the frog king specifically asked for Arthur to take over the Kingdom of Far Far Away, so the young lad finally complies, and the motley group sets out for home.

To complicate matters, however, not everyone is happy that Arty is coming to take the throne—especially Prince Charming (Rupert Everett).  Remember him?  He’s the guy who got ousted in Shrek II, and now he’s got a plan for revenge and overthrow.  He rallies all the disgruntled, “loser” fairy-tale characters (like Snow White’s wicked stepmother, Rumpelstiltskin, Captain Hook, etc.), and he convinces them to take back the wins they’ve been robbed of by performing in an evil palace play that is slated to end with the death of Shrek.