Shrek the Third



Shrek the Third (also known as Shrek 3) is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film loosely based on the 1990 picture book Shrek! by William Steig. Directed by Chris Miller (in his feature directorial debut) and co-directed by Raman Hui, it is the third installment in the Shrek film series and the sequel to Shrek 2 (2004). The film stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Julie Andrews, and John Cleese reprising their voice roles from the previous films, along with new additions such as Justin Timberlake as Arthur Pendragon and Eric Idle as Merlin. In the plot, Prince Charming is plotting to overthrow Shrek and Fiona, who have inherited the throne following King Harold's death. Shrek, who believes an ogre does not fit in to be king and does not want to rule the kingdom, attempts to convince Fiona's underachieving, 16-year-old cousin Artie to reign instead.

Shrek the Third premiered at the Mann Village Theatre, Westwood in Los Angeles on May 6, 2007, and was released in the United States on May 18, 2007, exactly six years after the first film was released. The film grossed $813 million on a budget of $160 million, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 2007. It was nominated for the Best Animated Film at the 61st British Academy Film Awards. Shrek the Third was the final film in the Shrek franchise to be co-produced by Pacific Data Images, which folded in 2015. The sequel, Shrek Forever After, was released in May 2010.

Plot
Shrek and Princess Fiona are set to succeed the dying King Harold, but Shrek's attempts to serve as the Regent during the King's medical leave end in disaster. He insists that an ogre as king isn't ideal and that there must be someone else. Before he dies, Harold tells Shrek of another heir: his nephew, Arthur "Artie" Pendragon. Meanwhile, Prince Charming vows to become King of Far Far Away and avenge the death of his mother, the Fairy Godmother. Charming goes to the Poison Apple tavern and persuades fairy tale villains to fight for their "happily ever after".

Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots set out to retrieve Artie. As they sail away, Fiona reveals to Shrek that she's pregnant, much to Shrek's horror who doesn't believe he's capable of raising children. The trio journey to Worcestershire Academy, an elite magical boarding school, where they discover Artie as a scrawny, 16-year-old underachiever. At the school pep rally, Shrek tells Artie he's been chosen for king of Far Far Away. Artie is excited until Donkey and Puss inadvertently frighten him by discussing the king's responsibilities. Immediately losing confidence, Artie tries taking control of the ship to go back to Worcestershire, and following a scuffle with Shrek, the ship crashes on a remote island where they encounter Artie's retired wizard teacher, Merlin.

Charming and other villains attack the castle, but Wolfie, Pinocchio, Gingy, and others stall them long enough for the castle's occupants including Fiona and her mother Queen Lillian to escape. One of the Pigs accidentally reveals that Shrek has gone to retrieve Arthur, and Prince Charming reacts by sending Captain Hook and his pirates to track them down. The ladies are locked in a tower after Rapunzel betrays them, having fallen in love with Charming.

Captain Hook and his pirates catch up to Shrek on Merlin's island. Shrek avoids capture, and Hook reveals Charming's takeover of Far Far Away. Shrek urges Artie to return to Worcestershire. Instead, Artie cons Merlin into using his magic to send them to Far Far Away. The spell causes Puss and Donkey to accidentally switch bodies. They find Pinocchio and learn that Charming plans to kill Shrek as part of a play. Charming's men arrive, but Artie tricks the knights, and they avoid capture. Later, they break into the castle during rehearsals for the play. Caught in Charming's dressing room, the four are taken captive.

Charming prepares to kill Artie to retain the crown. To save Artie's life, Shrek tells Charming that Artie was a pawn to take his place. Charming believes Shrek and allows Artie to leave. Donkey and Puss are imprisoned with Fiona and the ladies, where Fiona grows frustrated with their lack of initiative. Queen Lillian smashes an opening in the stone wall of the prison with a headbutt. While the princesses launch a rescue mission for Shrek, Donkey and Puss free Gingy, Pinocchio, and others along with Dragon and Donkey's children. Puss and Donkey mollify Artie by explaining that Shrek lied to save Artie's life.

Charming stages a musical in front of the kingdom. Just as Charming is about to kill Shrek, Fiona, Puss, and Donkey, the princesses and other fairy tale characters confront the villains. They lose in a showdown: the pigs are kidnapped by henchmen, Gingy is held hostage by knights, Dragon is surrounded by guards, and Fiona is tied up. Artie shows up and gives a speech to the villains, convincing them that they can be accepted into society instead of being outcast. The villains agree to give up their evil ways, while Charming refuses to listen and lunges at Artie with his sword. Shrek blocks the blow and it initially appears that he was stabbed. Charming decrees himself the new king, but Shrek reveals that the sword actually went in between his arm and torso and pushes Charming aside, while Dragon knocks the tower down onto Charming.

Artie is crowned king. While the kingdom celebrates, Merlin reverts Puss and Donkey's body swap. Shrek and Fiona return to their swamp, where they become the parents of ogre triplets, coping with parenthood with the help of Puss, Lillian, Donkey and Dragon.

Cast

 * Mike Myers as Shrek
 * Eddie Murphy as Donkey
 * Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona
 * Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots
 * Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian
 * Rupert Everett as Prince Charming
 * Eric Idle as Merlin
 * Justin Timberlake as Arthur "Artie" Pendragon
 * Conrad Vernon as Gingerbread Man, Rumpelstiltskin, Headless Horseman
 * Cody Cameron as Pinocchio, the Three Pigs, Fergus
 * Larry King as Doris the Ugly Stepsister
 * Christopher Knights as The Three Blind Mice
 * Amy Poehler as Snow White
 * Maya Rudolph as Rapunzel
 * Amy Sedaris as Cinderella
 * Aron Warner as Wolf
 * Cheri Oteri as Sleeping Beauty and actress
 * Frank Welker as Dragon
 * Ian McShane as Captain Hook
 * Susanne Blakeslee as Evil Queen
 * John Cleese as King Harold
 * Regis Philbin as Mabel the Ugly Stepsister
 * Mark Valley as Cyclops
 * Chris Miller as the Puppet Master
 * John Krasinski as Lancelot
 * Seth Rogen as Ship Captain
 * Tom Kane as Guard No. 1
 * Kari Wahlgren as Old Lady