Hard as it may be to believe it's now six years since 'Shrek', the big green ogre voiced by Mike Myers, burst onto our cinema screens.
The original 'Shrek', released in 2001 by Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks' SKG animation studio, was an instant hit with young, and not so young, alike.
And, unsurprisingly, it spawned a sequel and now, with the release of 'Shrek the Third', a threequel.
Although 'Shrek The Third' isn't officially released until this Friday the local cinemas have been showing special previews over the weekend, and again this Thursday night for those who simply can't wait to see all their favourite characters again.
And, yes, before you ask Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss (Antonio Banderas) and all the rest of the gang are back for more fun, mayhem and adventure in the land of Far, Far Away.
When we catch up with our friends Fiona's father, the King, is ill and Shrek and Fiona are filling in for him at a number of official engagements.
But, as you can imagine, an ogre hasn't the right social skills, or the etiquette, required to complete an itinerary of regal duties.
When the King dies Shrek finds himself next in line for the throne - a role he knows isn't for him. The only other potential King is Fiona's little brother Artie, who is still at school in a far off land.
Determined that he will not be the next King of Far, Far Away Shrek sets off, accompanied by Donkey and Puss, to find Artie and bring him back to Far, Far Away.
Meanwhile, Fiona his pregnant but finds it difficult to tell Shrek as she is convinced he doesn't want to start a family.
What Shrek doesn't know, as he heads off on his journey, is that trouble, in the form of Prince Charming, is brewing. Charming believes the throne is rightfully his and he mobilises an army of all the outcasts, and all those who live outside the Kingdom, together to forcibly take over the Kingdom.
While many other animation films seem content just to look good, and raise a few laughs, the makers of 'Shrek the Third' have created a decent story (fairytale) here which you want to follow through to the end.
Again, the film is incredibly clever and has a great universal appeal (I noted that the majority of the audience were adults, not children) with many jokes aimed way above children's heads.
In true, fairytale fashion, this is a tale of good versus evil. Prince Charming, and his army of misfits, are the baddies while Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss and Artie are the good guys. And I don't think I will spoil the movie by telling you there is a happy ending here.
While all the original characters are, once again, on top form the new arrivals here, most notably Artie (voiced by Justin Timerlake) and Merlin the Magician (voiced by the excellent Eric Idle) are fine additions and really add to the narrative.
Probably the most astonishing thing about 'Shrek the Third', and indeed about all the new brand of animated films, is that you often forget your looking at animation altogether.
Everything from the sea to the grass to every individual movement seems almost too real to be animated. Of course its computer animated, but still it looks amazing.
Some of the highlights of this film includes the sequence when Shrek and friends arrive at the school looking for Artie and find all the high school stereotypes / clichés at every turn, and the dream sequence Shrek has after he hears the news that he is to become a father.
If you have seen either of the first two 'Shrek' movies you'll be going to see this one. And, while I felt the second one wasn't quite as good as the original (as is often the case in this business) 'Shrek The Third' is great, sure fire entertainment and fun for all the family.
And while Donkey was (for me) the star of the original, and Puss the star of the second I think Merlin is the best character in this third instalment. But don't take my word for it - go and see for yourself.
