Shrek the Third Blu-ray Review

"Shrek the Third" arrives on Blu-ray with an outstanding video presentation, using an AVC encoding that pushes the average bitrate to around 30 Mbps on a BD-50 dual-layer disc. The picture quality benefits extensively from its digital roots, demonstrating the impressively high standard of animation DreamWorks has become known for. The attention to detail in this high-definition transfer is remarkable, highlighting the intricacies of the characters and environments with exceptional clarity. From the lifelike textures of characters like Shrek, whose facial stubble and skin pores are vividly depicted, to the individual petals of flowers and roughness of surfaces, viewers are treated to a visual feast that occasionally borders on the hyper-realistic.

The color reproduction throughout the film is accurate and vibrant, capturing a wide palette from the unique green of Shrek’s skin to the fiery tones of Dragon’s scales, and even handling the softer tones and shadows with finesse. However, the consistent golden hue used to light many scenes, while intentional by the filmmakers, may not appeal to all viewers. Despite this, shadow detail is excellently maintained without loss of depth, and there is an absence of any noticeable compression artifacts or issues related to transfer flaws. DreamWorks eschews the trend towards a more film-like aesthetic seen in other animated films for a crisper, almost three-dimensional look without resorting to stereoscopic 3D, ensuring that everything in frame benefits from an almost unnerving level of sharpness and clarity.

Drawing from the same master used in its HD DVD release but employing a re-encoded 1080/VC-1 for the Blu-ray, "Shrek the Third" achieves a consistency in quality that rivals the finest animated Blu-ray presentations to date. Without any detectable problems with compression or edge enhancement, and showcasing well-balanced colors and deep blacks, the video quality remains as compelling and distractingly detailed as ever. From its astoundingly detailed characters to its vivid environmental textures, this release sets a benchmark for how animated features should be presented in high definition.

The audio presentation of "Shrek the Third" on Blu-ray marks a significant improvement over its HD DVD counterpart, prominently featuring an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track alongside Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in Spanish, Portuguese, and French. The transition to Dolby TrueHD 5.1 at a 48kHz/24-bit resolution ensures a richer, more textured soundscape that brings the animated world to life with clarity and depth. Dialogue emanates crisply from the center channel, ensuring that every line is delivered with precision, while the combination of scoring and contemporary pop music finds a harmonious balance that enhances the viewing experience without overwhelming the auditory senses.

The enhancements are not merely in dialogue and music; the TrueHD mix excels in creating a fully immersive environment through its use of the rear channels. Ambient sounds, from the subtleties of nature like wind and rain to the dynamic clatter of action sequences, are rendered with impressive spatial differentiation, making the surround sound experience notably engaging. This upgrade provides a continuous and enveloping sound field that is both dynamic and nuanced, with the LFE channel lending sufficient weight to the onscreen action without tipping into excess.

Despite these advancements, it's acknowledged that the low bass extension does not see a monumental leap from its predecessor, with the subwoofer's performance echoing past weaknesses by offering only marginal extension beyond previous offerings. Yet, this aspect does little to overshadow the overall excellence of the audio track. The impeccable source quality of this entirely studio-constructed soundtrack shines through in its clean, refined presentation. The diligent balancing act between dialogue, effects, and music manages to capture the animated spectacle's essence, ensuring an aural experience that complements the high standard set by the visual presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Shrek the Third" features a mixed bag of extras that cater to both kids and adults, yet leans heavily towards novelty and entertainment rather than in-depth insight into the film's production. For enthusiasts of animation technology, "The Tech of Shrek" provides an interesting look at the advancements in animation through musculature, hair, textiles, and effects work such as water and fire. "Lost Scenes" offers a glimpse into what could have been with 26 minutes of storyboarded but unproduced scenes focusing on character development, particularly Artie's. The "Animators Corner" stands out for offering a picture-in-picture storyboard presentation of the film, reflective of the thought process behind scene composition and storytelling. However, the set lacks detailed filmmaker commentary and behind-the-scenes depth that could have enriched the understanding of the film’s creation. Novelties like "The Donkey Dance" and interactive features such as "Merlin's Magic Crystal Ball" skew towards younger audiences, providing light entertainment rather than substantial content. Despite these shortcomings, the Blu-ray extras offer enough diversity to make it a worthwhile exploration for fans wanting more from the Shrek universe, albeit without greatly deepening their knowledge of the film’s artistic and technical craftsmanship.

Extras included in this disc:

• Animators Corner: Picture-in-picture storyboard feature.
• Shrek’s Trivia Track: Production and character tidbits.
• The World of Shrek: Compilation of profiles for the film's characters.
• Meet the Cast: Introduces main voice talent with behind-the-scenes footage.
• Shrek's Guide to Parenthood: Acerbic child-rearing tips from characters.
• Lost Scenes: Storyboard concepts that were never fully produced.
• The Tech of Shrek: Discussion on the animation technology advancements.
• Big Green Goofs: A reel of animated bloopers.
• Donkey Dance: A short music video featuring Donkey.
• DreamWorks Animation Jukebox: Music segments from DreamWorks' CG features.
• Merlin's Magic Crystal Ball: An interactive game similar to a Magic Eight Ball.
• Learn the Donkey Dance: Instructional video on Donkey's dance.
• How to Be Green: Environmental tips for kids.
• My Menus: Customizable pop-up menu themes based on characters.

"Shrek the Third" transitions to Blu-ray with a visual appeal that does justice to the vibrancy and detail of its CG animation, yet the film itself struggles to maintain the charm and innovation of its predecessors. As the third entry in DreamWorks Animation's lucrative franchise, the movie navigates through familiar territory, highlighting Shrek's reluctant ascent to potential kingship and impending fatherhood against a backdrop of fairytale mockery and pop-culture puns. Despite its rich animation quality and commitment to a visually enticing Far Far Away, "Shrek the Third" notably falters in delivering a narrative with the freshness or depth that fans might expect following the original and its sequel.

The plot, while seeking to thread together themes of responsibility, legacy, and family, often feels overwhelmed by the sheer volume of characters and subplots juggled throughout its runtime. The addition of Arthur as a hesitant heir to the throne introduces a new dimension to the Shrek saga but ultimately contributes to an overall sensation of narrative congestion. This congestion is further exacerbated by Prince Charming's attempt at villainy, which, despite its potential, devolves into a retread of familiar conflicts. The inherent challenge of sequels—balancing the old with the new—is met with limited success here; the movie leans heavily on established formulae, rendering much of its humor and character dynamics predictable rather than pioneering.

Technical merits aside, "Shrek the Third" exemplifies the difficulties of extending a franchise beyond its creative zenith. While it executes its animation with commendable skill, ensuring that the big green ogre and his companions look their best in high definition, the content struggles to keep pace. The film’s reliance on recycled gags and overcrowded plotlines results in a viewing experience that may engage younger audiences or completists of the series but leaves others wanting. DreamWorks' endeavor to push the boundaries of fairy tale satire shows signs of wear in this installment, highlighting a critical juncture for the Shrek series: the challenge of innovating within the confines of a formula that has yielded both critical acclaim and commercial success.

In evaluating the Blu-ray presentation of "Shrek the Third," it's apparent that while the franchise's enchantment shows signs of dwindling, the technical execution of this release shines a redeeming light on the overall package. The film strays from its predecessors with a convoluted plot, introducing an excess of characters and subplots that detract from its core charm. However, fans dedicated to the Shrek saga might still find value here, albeit, the movie's execution leaves much to be desired. On a brighter note, the Blu-ray edition excels in delivering a high-quality audiovisual experience, with remarkable picture clarity and enhanced high-resolution audio surpassing that of its HD DVD counterpart. The inclusion of extensive, though somewhat superficial, bonus features partially compensates for the film's narrative shortcomings, aiming to cater to the franchise's loyal audience and curious renters alike.

The technical prowess of the Blu-ray is undeniably its strongest suit, offering an immersive viewing experience that almost distracts from the film's less engaging storyline. The upgrade in audio quality is particularly commendable, presenting a clear, dynamic sound stage that makes the most out of the animated antics and musical scores. Though the supplemental material may not all hit the mark in terms of depth or quality, it provides an abundance of content for fans to dive into, ensuring that there's something for everyone in this package.

In conclusion, "Shrek the Third" on Blu-ray stands as a paradoxical release; while the film itself may not capture the magic of its forebears, the exceptional quality of its audio and visual presentation, along with a bounty of extra features, make it a worthwhile acquisition for completist fans of the series and families seeking to keep their children entertained. Though it may not be the trilogy's crowning jewel, this Blu-ray release underscores the importance of technical excellence in preserving the legacy of beloved cinematic adventures.