"Shrek the Third" is a 2007 animated fantasy comedy film directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Raman Hui. It is the third installment in the Shrek film series, following "Shrek" (2001) and "Shrek 2" (2004).
The film features returning voice actors Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, and introduces new characters voiced by Justin Timberlake, Eric Idle, and Amy Sedaris.
The story picks up with Shrek and Princess Fiona living in the kingdom of Far Far Away, where they are reluctantly filling in for the ailing King Harold. When King Harold dies, Shrek is next in line to the throne, a role he does not want. Determined to find a suitable replacement, Shrek, along with Donkey and Puss in Boots, embarks on a journey to locate Fiona's cousin, Arthur "Artie" Pendragon (voiced by Justin Timberlake), the only other heir to the throne.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Everett) seeks revenge for his mother's (Fairy Godmother) death and plots to take over the kingdom of Far Far Away. He gathers a crew of fairy tale villains to help him in his quest. Fiona and her friends, including Queen Lillian, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel, band together to fend off Charming's attack.
"Shrek the Third" explores themes of responsibility, leadership, and self-acceptance. The film features humor, action, and the trademark pop culture references of the series. Notable scenes include Shrek's comical attempts to mentor the teenage Artie and the epic final showdown against Prince Charming and his villainous cohorts.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its animation and voice performances, but criticism for its plot and perceived lack of the freshness that characterized the previous films. Despite this, "Shrek the Third" was a commercial success, grossing over $798 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2007.
Overall, "Shrek the Third" continues the story of the beloved characters from the Shrek universe, providing fans with humor and heart while introducing new elements to the franchise.