Shrek the Third Opens Today

Although Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour 3 seems to have met with the disapproval of China’s censors (it’ll be interesting to see if Mr. Chan will be as upset as a certain Mr. Jet Li at the kind of reception his Hollywood films have received at the hands of China's cultural commissars), the arbiters of what foreign films make it on to Beijing screens have recently displayed a fondness for sequels. Last week’s release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mr Bean’s Holiday and three recent Hollywood blockbusters: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Spider-Man 3 and Casino Royale all come to mind and, although not officially a sequel, it’s probably not pushing the argument too far to consider Transformers part of this phenomenon as well. Chinese media have also reported that Die Hard 4 (trailer here) and the hugely popular Bourne Ultimatum (see trailer here) are set to be released at Chinese cinemas later this year.

Today, we can add the third film in the animated Shrek series to this list as Shrek the Third opens at digital cinemas across town.

As Tuesday is half-price day, fans of the ogre with a heart-of-gold might want to catch the film over in Haidian at:

UME International Cineplex (Near Renmin University)
2.40, 4.30, 8, 9.45pm
Tickets are available for RMB 30 before 6pm and RMB 42 after.

For those not sure if the film is worth catching at the big screen, you can take a peek at the trailer here and some reviews here, here and here.

Links and Sources:
CBC: Jet Li lashes out at Chinese film censorship
USA Today: China passes on Chan's 'Rush Hour 3'
Youtube: Shrek the Third Trailer
The Beijing News: Bourne Identity to screen at Chinese cinemas in November
Sina: Bourne Ultimatum Trailer
Rotten Tomatoes: Shrek the Third
IMDB: Shrek the Third
Newsweek: Oh, Grow Up Already