This is the twenty-sixth film I saw at the Hollywood Arclight Cinemas.
I love to brag about busy days - today I was out at 8.30 am and didn't get home till 16 hours later. Okay, so first there were classes, until 3, then after that had a short ADR session, then dinner at Molly's (an American burger joint run by Korean ladies), then off to Westwood Village to attend the volunteers' meeting for the upcoming Los Angeles Film Festival, then rush back (bus between central Hollywood and Westwood Village is roughly 30-45 mins) just in time to meet producing instructor before he leaves (supposed to attend the class), then a long phone call, then Shrek The Third.
Basically, I bought the ticket for Shrek The Third without really knowing I was going to watch a Shrek sequel, without even realising that I didn't know what to expect. Which in a way meant I walked in without much expectations. So should you. This sequel is fun, and retains the zaniness of the previous movies, and there were definite laugh-out-loud moments. I don't know why it seems like it's lacking something, but that's how it seems. Perhaps the element of surprise? Because the first one definitely took the world by surprise - and deservedly won the first Best Animated Picture Oscar (take that, Pixar). The second one was a little better. This third one did a really good job in extending the story - the way the story progressed made sense given what has come before. I guess the problem is that it does not have any parallels with any fairy tale - strange thing for me to say, since I always prefer original stories. On the other hand, Shrek movies are meant to be spoofs.
Anyway, I stayed on through the end credits to wait for that post end-credits sequence. You shouldn't.
On the other hand, at least now I can finally buy the 3 Shrek movies in one DVD combo once that gets released - been waiting for the Shrek movies to complete before I sink into getting a DVD.
How Good The Film Is: 7/10
How Much I Like The Film: 7.5/10
At What Point Did I First Look At My Watch: 45 mins
Oscar Noms That It Deserves: Best Animated Picture
Yea, I agree with you something is missing. I just loved one part though. :)