Shrek's happy ever after

16 June 2007

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The 26-year-old singer made his film debut this year in 'Alpha Dog' alongside Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone. He has also starred in 'Black Snake Moan' with Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci and will appear in 'Southland Tales' with Sarah Michelle Geller and Mandy Moore later this year.

Despite being relatively new to acting, Justin, drew on his childhood games to help him with the 'voice acting' involved in animation.

He said: "The only thing I can equate this to is when you're seven-years-old and you are in your backyard and you have a stick, and to you it's a huge sword and you really are King Arthur."

While former lovers Justin and Cameron Diaz - the voice of Fiona - did not have to work together while making the movie, they have both been touring to promote the movie, crossing paths on the red carpet.

Despite announcing their split after four-years together in January, the couple insist they are still great friends and loved being reunited.

Cameron said: "It's been great working with Justin, it's been fantastic.

"We haven't had a chance to sit down and talk because we've been working a lot but everyone's been working very hard and we've had a lot of fun."

As well as Justin's new character, Monty Python veteran Eric Idle joins the cast as Merlin and 'Lovejoy' star Ian McShane takes on the role of Captain Hook.

Fiona is also joined by a host of fairytale princesses - voiced by comediennes from the Saturday Night Live team - whose classic traits are given a clever Shrek twist.

Do not be fooled by the graceful appearances of narcoleptic Sleeping Beauty, vain Snow White, glamorous Rapunzel or ditzy Cinderella - expect plenty of girl power from Fiona's new pals.

Along with the new arrivals 'Shrek the Third' sees the return of Julie Andrews as Fiona's mother, Eddie Murphy as the ridiculously upbeat donkey and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots - the cute kitty with the voice and personality of a deadly Casanova.

Off screen Eddie has not been touring with the rest of the cast. After taking a DNA test to determine whether he is the father of Spice Girl Mel B's new baby - something he adamantly denies - he has been keeping a low profile.

But in the land of Far Far Away, Donkey is his usual bubbly, cheerful and pesky self, constantly competing for Shrek's attention, not just with Fiona but also with fellow sidekick Puss.

And the vivacious feline undoubtedly steals the show in this latest film.

So much so that Antonio has been signed up to do a spin-off movie - 'Puss in Boots'.

The smouldering Spanish star said: "He is a cute cat with the voice of a Casanova. Donkey is stupidly happy but my character is more sly.

"When they called me I didn't feel it was going to be a recurring character, but the audience liked him and he is back. And now Puss in Boots is to have his own movie. Poor donkey - he doesn't have his own movie. Ha!

"We have the script already but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. As soon as the promotion for 'Shrek the Third' is over I'll start work on it.

"From what I have been told of so far, it sounds just how I would have chosen it to be. We will see his story from when he was a little kitten until he became a trained killer, and it will unplug the mysteries of his character.

"It sounds very funny and very emotional too. It will be fun to bring more colour to the story. It will be made with the same Shrek team which is great as I love this family and I love working with these people."

Unfortunately, some characters have not been so lucky.

While the devastatingly handsome, yet dastardly Prince Charming is back, his mother Fairy Godmother, voiced by 'Absolutely Fabulous' star Jennifer Saunders, came to a sticky end in 'Shrek 2'.

Rupert Everett - who voices Prince Charming - said: "I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed that Prince Charming survives.

"I was sitting with Jennifer Saunders when both of us were watching 'Shrek 2' together. Her thinking 'Fairy Godmother - this role has wings, she'll be going on for years.'

"And at the end, when she got zapped she clutched my hand looked at me and in horror and said 'No, it can't be!'

"And then her glasses tumble down and crash onto the floor and she said 'Well, that's it - it's over!'

"And at the end of this film I worry it could be over for me."

Although Rupert is worried about his future, none of the other stars, or the creators, are willing to confirm the rumours that there will be a fourth Shrek movie.

But the cast have all spoken of how much they enjoyed reprising their characters and Cameron has even hinted that she would voice Fiona again if the fans demanded it.

She said: "I know how much it means to people.

"When people come up to you on the street every day and say how much they love Shrek and ask when's the next one coming out you realise how much it means to people.

"You know how much it means to people to laugh and receive the message and engage with the characters.

"And for me to be a part of something that is like that is not something that happens all the time, so I'm just proud to be a part of it."

But with Puss in Boots already starring in his own movie - maybe there is no future for Shrek.

Since the first film we've seen him find true love, accept compromise to marry Fiona and now start a family. If he has already found his happily ever after - where can he go from here?

Walking out of the cinema after 'Shrek the Third' it is the sidekicks who stick in your mind. The best jokes in the Shrek films are the little ones. Those special added extras.

It is the new princesses, Prince Charming, Pinocchio, the Big Bad Wolf, and of course Donkey and Puss who get the biggest laughs in this latest instalment.

And the attention to detail doesn't stop with the humour. The animation has improved with technological advancement since the last two films were made. So much so that at times you almost forget you are watching an animation.

Tim Cheung, head of character animation, points out: "We've added a lot of details to them this time around that are truly astonishing.

"For instance, when Shrek winces, you can actually see the wrinkles in his nose.

"We weren't able to do things like that in the first two films."

Whether you go to this film to be wowed by the incredible animation, to laugh at the jokes or just to find out what is in store for Shrek, this film can't fail to impress.

It is wholesome family fun, which kids will love, with some added extras to keep the adults entertained.

Shrek and Fiona may be slightly eclipsed by their sidekicks, but the new characters are rising stars that will capture the audiences' hearts.

And in 'Shrek the Third' there is a happy ever after for everyone... well, almost.

By Albertina Lloyd

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