Shrek the Third has pop culture potshots galore, but at the expense of the heart, charm, and wit that made the first two Shreks classics.

It may not be as fresh as the original, but topical humor and colorful secondary characters make Shrek 2 a winner in its own right.

Simultaneously embracing and subverting fairy tales, the irreverent Shrek also manages to offer a funny fast-paced ride.