DreamWorks Animation can expect to see a lot of green as the summer blockbuster Shrek the Third arrives on DVD and HD DVD today via Paramount Home Entertainment. The box-office smash grossed more than $600 million worldwide but has a tough act to follow in Shrek 2, which debuted on home video in 2004 and edged out Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo to become the best-selling animated release of all time. The first and second installments in the Shrek Franchise have together generated more than $1.6 billion in home video sales.
In Shrek the Third, King Harold falls ill and it’s up to Shrek (Mike Myers) to find a suitable heir to the throne before he’s forced to take the job himself. Along with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas), he sets out to track down Fiona’s rebellious cousin Artie (Justin Timberlake), and attempts to transform him into a respectable successor. Meanwhile, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) storms the castle, forcing Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) to defend their ‘happily ever afters’ with help from Cheri Oteri (Saturday Night Live) as Sleeping Beauty, Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live) as Snow White, Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) as Rapunzel and Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy) as Cinderella. Also joining the cast are Monty Python’s Eric Idle as Merlin, John Krasinski (The Office) as Lancelot and Ian McShane (Deadwood) as Captain Hook.
Special features include Artie’s Yearbook, Shrek’s Guide to Parenthood, lost scenes, bloopers, a Tech of Shrek featurette and a Learn to Donkey Dance tutorial. There are also a host of DVD ROM activities, including a video mash-up feature, Merlin’s Magic Crystal Ball and various games. In addition, each specially marked disc comes with a peal-and-reveal prize. Fans can pick up the DVD for the list price of $29.99, or purchase all three of the Shrek films together in the Shrek Trilogy set for $54.99.
