Just had a wacky weekend since I watched Shrek the Third with my wife. And I must say, I had fun. Yep, there’s no better way to relax than watching a cool movie with someone you love… *blush*

Oh yeah, back to the review – Shrek the Third brings back the cool gang of Mike Myers (Shrek), Antonio Banderas (Puss), Edie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Fiona). Plus, it also features newcommer voice acting by Justin Timberlake (Artie), Eric Idle, Amy Poehler, Amy Sedaris, and Regis Philbin.

Complete review after the jump

The San Francisco Chronicle calls it “irreverent and fast paced and is designed to please impatient parents just as much as children. There are some pop culture references to the 1970s, with Heart’s “Barracuda” and Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” featured on the soundtrack, but there’s never the sense of a movie begging for laughs by throwing in anachronisms. The jokes are organic to the movie, to its sly and slightly caustic worldview, and they don’t stop coming, from start to finish.”

The movie picks up after Shrek 2′s “happily ever after” ending. Fiona’s dad, King Harold is dying and needs an heir. The old king names Shrek as the next in line to rule Far, Far Away. But our shy, green ogre is hesitant to accept such a responsibility. So the old king names Arthur aka “Artie” (Justin Timberlake) as one other successor to the throne (Fiona’s loser and dork of a cousin).

So, Shrek, Donkey and Puss go on a quest to find Artie and bring him back. While our heroes are away, Charming gathers fairy tale villians and plot to overhtrow the kingdom.

I must say that the CG animation has improved a lot (see what technology can do?). I was impressed by the interaction of water on hair (or in this case fur). Voice acting was good and the movie itself didn’t disappoint. The jokes were nicely interspersed and both adults and children will chuckle at evey slapstick opportunity.

This time though, the gang of Pinochio and the gingerbread take a step back as the “Fairy Tale” princesses – Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Rapunzel take centerstage as they help Fiona and her mother, the Queen, escape improsonment from Charming and the Villians.

I won’t spoil the ending, though. Shrek the Third is a “feel-good” movie, with tons of laughs, a light storyline, unforgettable characters. Simply worth a bucket of popcorn!

Lastly, there’s rumors of a Shrek Musical with a goal of reaching Broadway in 2008. The book and lyrics are being written by reigning Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire…. I can’t wait to see that.