If you grew up during the 2000's, chances are that you probably love Shrek (2001). Truthfully, the green ogre was a phenomenon of all encompassing proportions, stretching to sequels, TV specials, amusement park rides, and nearly every food product you could die green. Consequently, families couldn't escape Shrek, nor would they want to given his inherent humor that appealed to just about every Gen Z kid.
Of course, Shrek's popularity would not only endure, but blossom in the world of memes. In the mid 2010's, Shrek was revitalized as a premier internet meme, allowing him to dominate culture just as he had done the decade prior. To a generation that grew up treasuring DreamWorks' titanic franchise, Shrek was the perfect image to foster the exponential growth of internet culture.
These days, Shrek's popularity remains resilient, as the trailer for the fifth installation of the franchise circles the internet right now. Though it doesn't look perfect, Shrek has clearly become an immovable tenant of 2000's pop culture.
However, Shrek's success wouldn't be what it was without its appraised sequel, Shrek 2 (2004). For my generation, this second installment is not only held in high regard, but is often considered one of the finest sequels in cinema history.
In fact, two young celebrities, singer Sabrina Carpenter and Obsession (2026) star Inde Navarette, recently named the Mike Myers led sequel as one of their favorite films of all time. While these are just two opinions, the generation that grew up with Shrek considers its sequel to be, as Navarette said, "one of the best cinematic experiences ever."
As such, both Shrek and Shrek 2 are considered animated masterpieces that provided one of the best starts to a franchise that you could ask for.
But with such equally entertaining and creatively designed films, it begs the question; which is the fairest Shrek film of them all? Consequently, I thought it would be fun to analyze both films to determine which Shrek is the greatest of all time, (the other two installments really aren't worth mentioning, so I'll just focus on the first two).
Similar to my last movie showdown, I will be comparing each Shrek in nine different categories, choosing a winner for each, and then awarding the title of the fairest in the land to whichever wins the most rounds.
I have adjusted the categories from my last showdown to include the facets that I feel are most pertinent to the Shrek mythology. There are still some basic cinematic categories, but some of them are quite Shrek specific.
As with last time, I will be doing my best to keep my personal opinions aside to objectively evaluate what each film does best. Though I prefer the original, I greatly love both films and appreciate their excellent storytelling and place in cinema history.
No matter which film wins, they are each great fairy tale pastiches, ones that pushed the genre forward with iconic quotes, brilliant soundtracks, a-list voice acting, and lots of adult humor.
The Numbers
For this showdown, I thought I would include the number breakdown for each film. This won't count towards the final tally, but it will sets up our fantastic clash.
Shrek, which released to audiences in 2001, earned around 484 million dollars worldwide. It won the inaugural Best Animated Film Oscar, defeating Pixar's Monsters, Inc., and even picked up a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Today, the film has an 89% critics score and 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a 7.9 on IMDB, and a 4.12 on Letterboxd.
As for the sequel, Shrek 2 earned a whopping 932 million dollars, defeating Spider-Man 2 and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to become 2004's highest grossing film. It didn't win any Oscars, but was again nominated for Best Animated Film, as well as Best Original Song for The Counting Crowes' "Accidentally in Love." Today, the films holds an 89% critics score and 69% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a 7.4 on IMDB, and a 4.12 on Letterboxd.
Obviously, both films made immediate impacts with the original pulling in an Oscar and the sequel becoming the fifth highest grossing movie ever made at the time. The original has slightly better scores online, but the numbers are incredibly close, once again showing how similarly great the two films are.
ROUND 1: Visual Design
Since animation is an inherently visual genre, this seems like the perfect place to kick off our showdown. There's so much that goes into the visuals of an animated film, but for this specific round, I'll focus on animation quality and overall composition.
In terms of animation quality, it's clear that Shrek 2 outdoes its predecessor. With nearly double the budget, the sequel capitalizes on the original's groundbreaking animation by rendering the characters with far more depth. It's an easy victory for Shrek 2 given the rapidly advancing technology, but a victory nonetheless.
Then, there's composition, the tapestry that weaves all other visual elements together. Both films excel here, starting with the original's penchant for dynamically rendered action. It's visually brilliant from start to finish, which includes a dragon chase sequence illuminated with surging reds against the shadows of the castle.
Yet, the film's standout visual scene is easily the somber "Hallelujah" montage. After Shrek and Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) romance has stifled, the former spends time alone in his swamp while Fiona prepares to wed Lord Farquad (John Lithgow). We transition back and forth to the frayed lovers, realizing the parallels in their heartbroken loneliness. Stitched together with inventive cuts, the moment feels like a eulogy of separation.
As for the sequel, the composition remains equally exciting. The opening montage emphasizes this, offering a fun barrage of hilarious, romantic moments. It's sweetly assembled, but the visual references allow it to entertain wholeheartedly.
However, there's no getting around the film's most dynamic visuals employed in the exciting third act. As the Fairy Godmother belts out an 80's cover, Shrek beseeches the castle with a Kaiju sized Gingerbread Man. The ensuing siege juxtaposed against Fiona and Charming's dance enraptures the audience in the drama at hand. By the time we get to Shrek's faceoff with the Godmother, the visual rendering of her magical powers becomes one of the film's most enchanting moments.
Overall, each film offers an exciting visual display of action and romance. That being said, the original Shrek seems to have a more varied and beautiful visual language. Despite less advanced animation quality, the inventiveness and emotive visuals make for a more satisfying watch. Shrek 2 is no visual slouch, but there's an artistry present in the original's that the sequel can't quite match.
The original adventure takes the lead, 1-0.
ROUND 2: Story
While each Shrek film offers impressive visuals, they also boast wonderful stories. These tales not only appeal to all ages, but they also sway into the depths of romance, loneliness, and self worth all while making us laugh.
The first film impressively spins a rather strange children's book into a screenplay worthy of an Oscar nomination. In it, we follow Shrek, an ogre who values his privacy after years of being shunted by the world. But due to the local despot's fairy tale relocation efforts, Shrek embarks on a quest to save Princess Fiona, who he eventually falls in love with, changing him for the better.
On the surface, Shrek works as an alternative, edgier fairy tale by prompting us to follow a curmudgeon who's adverse to the world of magic. The story then dives into the psychological defenses of Shrek, exploring why we should sympathize with him just as much as the handsome princes we're used to.
From there, the plot evolves into a rom com, pitting Shrek's most ogrelike traits against Fiona's assured stubbornness. We eventually learn that they have far more in common than we'd expect, and the resulting chemistry again instills us with the magical swooning of romance.
Of course, in classic rom com form, the couple spars and almost splits. Luckily, Shrek changes just in time to rush to Fiona's wedding, save her from Farquad, and begin his happily ever after.
The story is not simply subversive, but affectively assertive in its message about opening yourself up and being comfortable with who you are. Sure, there's a surplus of action too, but it's the story's heart that won millions over in 2001.
As for the sequel, the story keeps things in the romcom sphere by forcing Shrek to reckon with his in-laws, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews). The rulers of Far Far Away are surprised by Shrek's ogrehood, immediately leading to awkward interactions and angry clashes.
Eventually though, we find out that Harold had promised Fiona to Prince Charming and his magical Fairy Godmother, which requires him to get rid of Shrek to make good on his bargain. Some magical potions and one feline assassin later, Shrek ends up as a human, but believes that Fiona would be happier with Charming, so he leaves. Of course, he returns after learning the truth about Harold, defeating the Fairy Godmother and winning over Fiona's parents' approval.
Though Shrek doesn't undertake quite as well rounded an arch as in the first, he truly wrestles with delivering a happy relationship for Fiona. After the honeymoon ends, reality creeps in on the pair, and Shrek can't shirk Fiona's parents' expectations and prejudices. He makes a lot of mistakes, including some awful social shortcomings, but he puts Fiona first when it matters.
In addition, Shrek 2 offers a more exciting, action packed plot compared to the first. From the potion factory escape to the OJ inspired horse chase, this sequel offers no shortage of exciting challenges for Shrek to overcome. Obviously though, there's nothing quite like the third act, which includes a tense dance number, gingerbread goliath, and magical showdown. Every element is fantastic in the most magical way, constructing a tense final fight that catapults this romance into epic territory.
Speaking of the Fairy Godmother, this film does a better job of composing a real threat for Shrek. While Lord Farquad is a hilarious foe, he never really feels like anything more than an annoying obstacle for Shrek. By contrast, the Fairy Godmother works as an all encompassing entity, one who pulls the strings faster than Shrek can recognize them.
Obviously, both films hold their own with triumphantly family friendly storytelling. However, I feel that Shrek 2 just outdoes its predecessor.
Though the original's character work is a few shades better, the sequel takes Shrek into an exciting direction that still peels back the layers of worry Shrek deals with. The sequel's plot is also more exciting, which includes a true nail biting showdown as opposed to the original's Deus ex machina defeat of Farquad. It's a close race for sure, but nothing in the original quite gets your blood pumping like a Fairy singing a Bonnie Tyler classic.
Shrek 2 with the equalizer, 1-1.
ROUND 3: Dialogue
While dialogue could be lumped in with the last section, I feel that the Shrek franchise utilizes dialogue more immediately than many other films, warranting its own round. Obviously, this isn't all each film has to offer comedically, but they are both insanely quotable films, which has become part of their legacy.
With significantly strong dialogue, Shrek not only includes brilliant comedic barbs, but iconic quotes that are inextricable from pop culture. Some of the film's best lines include Gingy's "Not my gumdrop buttons," Lord Farquad's "It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make," and Donkey's "In the morning, I'm making waffles."
Still, there's no line that has come to represent Shrek quite as much as, "Ogres are like onions." Coming from a pivotal scene where Shrek tries to explain the complexities of ogres to Donkey, the line defines Shrek as a quick witted, but complex individual. While the entire exchange is rife with hilarious quips that frustrate Shrek, it's this defining line that encapsulates the film's dichotic relationship with humor and emotion.
As for the sequel, there's plenty of solid dialogue to enjoy throughout. Some of my favorite lines include Donkey's "Look out Shrek! He got a piece!," the Fairy Godmother's "Someone bring me something deep fried and covered in chocolate," and Shrek's "They don't even have dental." While these lines are not the most iconic, they are hilarious tidbits that remind you just how much humor the writers pack into this fairy tale world.
Still, the sequel does feature one indisputably brilliant moment of dialogue when Shrek and Fiona first meet Fiona's parents. Starting off with awkward silence on an elongated red carpet each pair begin walking towards each other with Shrek and Harold quipping to their respective partner about escaping the situation. Here, each line is finished by the next, linking the pair through a shared embarrassment and anxiousness. The overlapping lines are not only funny, but entangle these pairs in a web of awkwardness before they can even meet.
Obviously, both films manage to make major strides with their ever hilarious dialogue. The original unleashes a barrage of relentlessly funny quotes that still populate t-shirts to this day, while the sequel establishes character dynamics in a creative fashion.
Yet, despite how inventive the sequel uses its dialogue, it's just not enough to match the original's franchise defining lines. Shrek 2 is hilarious in its own right, but the original's dialogue has withstood the test of time, remaining some of the funniest material to see the silver screen during the 2000's.
"That'll do Donkey, that'll do." Shrek, 2-1.
ROUND 4: Voice Acting
As searingly witty as each film's dialogue is, these lines would be nothing without the impeccable voice actors to deliver them. Despite the difficulty of delivering strong voice over work, each Shrek film features a robust selection of actors committed to the eccentric, yet personal characters of the franchise.
The first film takes quite a big swing by landing big stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz as its lead trio. But doing so isn't just a cash in on some (then) contemporary legends.
Instead, Shrek's actors prove capable of augmenting their characters in ways only they could. Myers, the film's lead, utilizes a Scottish accent that he had workshopped in other works, imbuing Shrek with a distinct vocal pattern that feels disparate from everyone else's in the film. Obviously, Myers also has the comedic timing to recite his lines, but his accent makes the character thoroughly his own.
Then there's Donkey played by Eddie Murphy. There's not much to say about Donkey that hasn't been said, but Murphy's voice is inextricable from the role. He cracks jokes incessantly, while still nailing the character's endearing charm and loyalty. Myers might have the more provocative role, but Murphy is every bit as important to this iconic duo.
Lastly, there's Fiona and Lord Farquad, brought to life by Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow respectively. While I won't say they're the only actors for these roles, they do a mighty impressive job. Diaz feels like a modern day princess, one ready to be romanced but can still fight when provoked. Meanwhile, Lithgow perfectly captures the pompous, impotency of Farquad, reciting his lines like an arrogant despot. Both roles could've been easily phoned in, but Diaz and Lithgow never settle, biting into the film's incisive lines.
In contrast, the sequel features a far bigger cast. Of course, Myers, Murphy, and Diaz return, bringing the same zest for comedy that they brought to the original.
However, they're also joined by a number of other esteemed actors, starting with Julie Andrews and John Cleese as Fiona's royal parents. Two iconic Britons, the pair perfectly capture the disparate feelings the pair have towards Fiona's new husband. Andrews' elegant voice becomes one of reason, while Cleese bumbles his way as a disturbed King.
Then, there's Jennifer Saunders' Fairy Godmother and Rupert Everett's Charming. I've already remarked about Saunders' vocal ability earlier (and I will again in the soundtrack round), but she truly steals the third act with her rendition of "I Need a Hero." She also plays into the Godmother's menacing thirst for power, but it's her singing that garners the most praise. Everett nails his role too, fulfilling the dumb blonde himbo with a smoldering over confidence.
Lastly, there's Antonio Banderas, who steps into one iconic pair of boots. In all honesty, few sequel character additions have left quite as much of an impact on their franchise as Puss has. With a strong dose of Latin charm, Banderas defines Puss as a swashbuckling anti-hero who also happens to be an adorable ladies cat. There's no question as to how big of a hit Puss has been with audiences, as his popularity was enough to earn two solo films, the latter which has been one of the best reviewed films this decade.
Undeniably, both films feature an array of strong voice acting. The original sets the standard with a high level of talent, while the second film ups the ante with some worthwhile additions.
With that being said, there's simply no getting around that Shrek 2 features more great performances. While Myers, Murphy, and Diaz are arguably better in the first and Lithgow is missed a bit, the sequel really nails every new swing it takes. The quality here is nearly identical, but more is just more.
Puss and the gang ties it at 2.
ROUND 5: Soundtrack
While the visuals are crucial to an animated film, the soundtrack (and score) are also important when trying to immerse your audience in a fantasy world. The Shrek films are no exception, utilizing a great selection of songs and emphatic score to complete the fantasy worldbuilding.
The score is pretty even across both films, enchanting with an elegant composure, so I won't spend much time on it here.
As for the soundtracks, the original Shrek completely bucks the trend of animated musicals by licensing its songs. The artists who contribute range from some of the cooler 2000's acts to classic bands from decades prior, resulting in a contemporary, eclectic mixtape.
Some of the film's best songs include "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "My Beloved Monster" by Eels, "Hallelujah" by John Cale, and "I'm A Believer" by Smash Mouth and Eddie Murphy. These tracks are not only stellar in their own right, but they amplify the film's more emotional moments. Whether they're searing in the romantic tension or enlivening a cool knight brawl, these songs lift fun moments to greatness.
Of course, I'd be remiss not to mention the film's opening song, "All Star." Setting the bombastic tone for the character, this Smash Mouth hit immediately invokes the fun and humorous style that Shrek is known for. Moreso, the song has essentially become Shrek's theme song, defining the character and the rest of the franchise.
However, Shrek 2 also features a fine lineup of songs, one worthy of matching its predecessor's impact. The sequel's best tracks include "Changes" by David Bowie and Butterfly Boucher, "Ever Fallen in Love" by Pete Yorn, "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc, and "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crowes. There's even the fun "Livin La Vida Loca" duet by Puss and Donkey, an iconic jam that closes out the film in a fun way.
Still, there's no song quite as emphatically memorable as the Fairy Godmother sung "I Need A Hero." I've already brought this song up twice, but that's only because it's an intensely sung ballad that immediately amplifies the scene. In addition to being perfectly belted out, it ties the romantic tension between Fiona and Charming to the imminent siege that Shrek leads. A lynchpin of a track, there's few other songs in the franchise that really do as much work as this one.
Comparing each film's soundtrack directly, it becomes apparent that this is perhaps the tightest round yet. Each film delivers an array of perfectly curated songs that suck you into the film's best moments and stay with you after it's ended. The Smash Mouth and Donkey sung songs are imminently great, but so are the smaller tracks that stitch together the film's smallest moments.
Yet, at the end of the day, the trend setting approach of the original, as well as the inclusion of "All Star," just gives Shrek the win. While "I Need A Hero" perhaps does more for its respective film, "All Star" has done more for the character as a whole, becoming synonymous with the green ogre. The sequel does about as conceivably good of a job of assembling a soundtrack, but it just doesn't have "All Star."
Like a shooting star, Shrek takes a 3-2 lead.
ROUND 6: Pop Culture References
Okay, pop culture references aren't immediately important to most films. However, they are bread and butter to the Shrek franchise, which has built its fanbase off of poking fun at familiar stories, films, and shows. I'm going to mainly ignore the fairy tale allusions for now, as they belong in a category that we'll get to later.
The first film again sets the tone, including a number of fun homages to show the audience that this film is built differently. Some of the film's best references include Fiona's The Matrix style fight scene, a French Robin Hood, Lord Farquad's medieval version of The Dating Game, Shrek's WWE style brawl, and a parody of Babe's most famous line. These references not only capture the film's penchant for fun, but show that it's self aware in a genuinely funny way.
Still, the film's best reference is perhaps Lord Farquad himself. Reportedly based on Michael Eisner, former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Lord Farquad was inserted as an insulting homage to the man who fired many of Shrek's animators before they had joined DreamWorks. The result works not just as a diminutively funny villain, but a barb at someone who has been notoriously difficult to work with.
Of course, the sequel again ups the ante by packing in a high number of brilliant references. In the opening montage alone, the film pays homage to From Here to Eternity, Spider-Man, and The Lord of the Rings. From there, we get some more great jabs, including a horse chase parodying COPS, Puss mimicking the chest burster from Alien, a Joan Rivers led Medieval Entertainment channel, Fairy Godmother insisting that Pretty Woman is a fairy tale, and an American Idol parody that can be seen on the DVD release.
Still, perhaps the film's biggest reference is Puss in Boots himself, who is a direct allusion to another Antonio Banderas character, Zorro. With similar attire and signature sword move, Puss feels like a fun parody of the character that still revels in Zorro's most endearing qualities.
Once again, neither film slacks in this category, as pop culture flows relentlessly through the animated DNA of these films. Still, I have to give it to the sequel, as it relentlessly unleashes too many clever references to ignore. The Farquad dig is brilliant, as are many other moments, but it's just dwarfed by the sequel's sheer amount of references.
Shrek 2 ties it again 3-3, much to Simon Cowell's chagrin.
ROUND 7: Emotional Appeal
As we approach the end of this showdown, it's time we turn our attention to the film's overall affect on the audience. In other words, how does each film combine its stunning visuals, witty dialogue, and exciting soundtrack to amount to something worth seeing? For this round though, we're looking at how much each film prompts us to feel.
Starting with Shrek, this film coerces us to sympathize with Shrek by exploring the loner mentality he has constructed for himself. After years of living in a world that hates him, Shrek has accepted his role as an ogre, scaring local villagers and keeping to his swamp.
Eventually, Shrek expounds upon this mentality to Donkey their first night together after rescuing Fiona. Beneath the moon, Shrek confirms that there's more to him than the hideous, scary facade that most people see. He then adds, "They judge me before they even know me," revealing an inner brokenness that he's sadly accepted about himself.
From there, every action that Shrek takes becomes completely understandable, from isolating himself to refuting chances of friendship and romance when Donkey and Fiona genuinely extend them.
This personal struggle is best actualized in the incredibly somber "Hallelujah" scene (that I briefly covered earlier). With a sincere visual chemistry, the scene sulks in the loneliness that Shrek has brought on for Fiona and himself. Though it's all he wanted earlier, after getting a taste of romance, he's crushed by his own fears. Of course, Shrek rights the ship with help from Donkey and Dragon, but it's still an initially sad moment.
Despite its incessantly humorous story, the first film is really driven by Shrek's emotional arch. That's exactly why there's no show stopping ending, but a sincere conversation between Shrek and Fiona as its climax. While it's not the saddest animated film, it does offer a view of Shrek's complex character, prompting us to struggle with the lovable ogre.
As for the sequel, we focus more on Shrek and Fiona's relationship as a whole and how it works in regard to the rest of the world. Obviously, this immediately pertains to Fiona's parents, whom Fiona wants as part of their lives and Shrek wants to impress for Fiona's sake. Though this clash is initially played for laughs, we eventually realize that Shrek harbors an inner anxiety about making Fiona happy.
In particular, Shrek's worries are displayed in the scene where Shrek reads a young Fiona's diary. On each page, Fiona remarks about how she wants to marry Prince Charming, writing "Mrs. Fiona Charming" repeatedly to hammer this point in. Despite the childish nature of these scribblings, they tear into Shrek, as he starts to consider that maybe he just isn't enough for Fiona.
For the rest of the film, we see this inner turmoil nibble away at him, prompting Shrek to rashly seek the Fairy Godmother's help to try and please Fiona. Eventually though, he succumbs to his doubt, and gives Fiona up so she can be happy with Charming.
This culminates in a somber bar scene, where Shrek ruminates in the bitter depression of giving up his love. It doesn't last long, but the sullen visage of our hero waving the white flag after two movies worth of fighting is a firmly disheartening one. Of course, Shrek figures out the Godmother's scheme and undoes his mistakes, again resulting in a happy ending.
Overall, Shrek 2 not only deals with fostering a working relationship with other people, but also resolving your own self doubt. Truly, Shrek is his own greatest enemy here, as he gets in his own head to a detrimental extent. While the first film captures the difficulty of finding romance, this sequel nails how hard it can be to sustain it.
As such, each Shrek film does an emotionally provocative job, capturing two different aspects of romance, while dropping us immediately into the emotional turmoil of Shrek and Fiona.
With that being said, the first film ventures a bit farther into the emotional state of Shrek. While the sequel does a good job expounding upon Shrek's anxious role as a husband, it doesn't feature as many promptly moving scenes as the first. Perhaps this is a result of having a more elaborate plot, but the original film's emotional intensity is simply unmatched.
The more layered film takes the lead, 4-3.
ROUND 8: Entertainment
As emotionally affective as the Shrek films are, at the end of the day, they excel best as well crafted, entertaining stories. In fact, it's their ability to entertain a wide array of audience members that made them box office behemoths in the first place and eventual classics in the years since.
Overall, both films deliver entertaining stories with their sharp wit, inviting animation, and swelling action. For the first installment though, most of its entertainment factor comes from its sheer comedic presence.
Despite being animated, Shrek is clearly a comedy at its core. As previously discussed, it features the most iconic dialogue of the franchise, which is due in large part to how funny it is. The film's best lines are often well delivered, land with a humorous jolt, and supply the film consistent laughs.
It's hard to really pick a funniest scene because the entire film is packed with laughs, but I'm awarding it to Shrek's initial meeting with Donkey. After Shrek saves the wee animal, Donkey won't leave him alone, no matter how much ogre inhospitality Shrek shows him. This leads to about eight of the film's funniest minutes, in which Donkey talks (and sings) about everything from Shrek's height to his prior stomach issues, which only increases Shrek's irritation and our laughter.
Of course, comedy isn't the only thing that Shrek does well. The film also includes some exciting action scenes, a stellar soundtrack, and a heartwarming love story that's ripe for a romcom. Shrek might be a comedy at heart, but this film entertains in a variety of ways.
Like its predecessor, Shrek 2 wears comedy on its sleeves, unleashing its fair share of one liners and funny references. These are seen immediately in the film's subversive opening montage, as well as in the iconic dinner feud between Shrek and Harold. Also, Puss in Boots makes for a great third prong to the Shrek and Donkey dynamic, constructing the trio that would take over the franchise from here.
However, the sequel opts to focus far more on action than the original. As I extrapolated on in the story round, Shrek 2 features more action scenes that never succumb to familiarity or cheap visuals. Of course, the standout sequence is the film's third act, but I've talked enough about that great finale already.
Instead, lets focus on the under appreciated magic potion heist at the Fairy Godmother's potion factory. After Shrek needs a potion to give Fiona her Happily Ever After, he dons a poor disguise and sneaks into the factory. Of course, they're caught, and the trio must escape over an intense cover by Pete Yorn. The following action that sees Shrek trash the Godmother's place while turning her fairies into furniture excels, displaying just how exciting this film can turn at any moment.
As such, Shrek 2 feels like the action packed sequel we all wanted. It's humorous too, but that consistent excitement and feeling of danger imbues the sequel with an epic scope.
In a way, this comes down to whichever you prefer, the excellent humor of the original or the exciting action of the sequel. I don't necessarily value one over the other, but I will pick the more balanced film, which is Shrek 2.
As great as the action scenes in the original are, they feel less essential to the story than the sequel's. It is indeed funnier, but the sequel has a better grasp on delivering funny and exciting moments that feel equally intertwined.
After the penultimate round, the Shrek's are tied at 4.
ROUND 9: The Fairy Tale Formula
Welp, we're all tied heading into the final round, which means that round 9 will determine which Shrek truly outshines the other. First though, you're probably wondering what the fairy tale formula is and why I've chosen it as the final category.
In short, the fairy tale formula is what you expect from a fantasy story of this nature. Fairy tales have their own rules and tropes, such as princesses who need saving, handsome princes ready to oblige, and hideous creatures out to spell evil. You've probably never thought about them, but the Fairy Tale formula has likely been engrained in you through bedtimes stories or Disney films.
Consequently, Shrek and its sequel are anti-fairytales, films that take the preexisting formula and shake it about until an entirely new story is present. For this round then, I will be comparing how well each film converts the fairy tale formula into something uniquely entertaining.
Beginning with the original, Shrek works as a boastful parody of numerous fairy tales, especially those of the Disney cannon. Instead of the handsome princes, beautiful princesses, and proud white horses we're used to, we get an improper ogre, a kung fu damsel in little distress, and an excessively talking Donkey.
Moreover, Farquad's land of Duloc is a direct stab at the overtly farcical nature of Disneyland, hence the annoying welcome song. Even the film's soundtrack, an accumulation of mostly preexisting tracks, is a fun alternative to the usual musical songs of the Disney cannon.
But while these direct jabs at DreamWorks' biggest rival are funny, they also work on a thematically important level. In short, Shrek uses the fairy tale formula to create a sincere othering of its main character. Obviously, Shrek is an outcast from the very beginning, as he values his privacy more than anything else. However, the film uses a number of fairy tale references to demonstrate this ostracization before we even meet Shrek.
As the film begins, we see Shrek piece through a fairy tale book, similar to how the classic Disney animated films used to begin. Afterwards, Shrek continues his introductory montage, including a grin that shatters his mirror and a hostile interaction with some villagers. While Disney films begin with underdogs and heroes aspiring for greatness, Shrek just wants to be separate from the fairy tale formula that the rest of Duloc thrives in.
By positioning its protagonist as a periphery character in the greater fairy tale world, Shrek gives us a more poignant outcast story, offering an alternate view to traditional fairy tales. It's this separation of Shrek and the more familiar fairy tale figures that reinforces the film's main theme of learning to accept yourself even if society insists otherwise. As such, the fairy tale formula is not just a means for parody, but essential to Shrek's character development as a tragically lonely figure.
Of course, the sequel utilizes the fairy tale formula in an equally interesting way. Once again, Shrek 2 ups the ante, adding in more fairy tale references and characters. Some of the highlights include the Hollywood-esque Far Far Away kingdom, a number of magic potions, and the nefarious Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming. These new additions range from pretty funny gags to complete subversions of familiar Fairy Tale figures.
However, what the film does most is focus on Shrek and Fiona's evolving relationship, particularly in their Happily Ever After, which is a fairy tale staple. Shrek and Fiona seemingly do that at first, embarking on a romantic honeymoon full of fun references and great music.
However, the encroaching of the outside world soon brings reality crashing down on Shrek. While in a Disney film, figures like the Fairy Godmother and Charming are magical and welcoming, in Shrek 2, they expose the difficulties of making a relationship work.
Now, Shrek 2 doesn't really posit that romance isn't real, especially since it spends so much time early on reveling in the joy of Shrek and Fiona's union. Rather, the film composes true romantic anxieties out of fantastical characters and situations. With a combination of both realistic and unrealistic romantic scenarios, Shrek 2 provides a searing analysis of the classic fairy tale ending by actually showing what happens next.
Like nearly every round prior, this one is again incredibly close. The creative recontextualization of classic fairy tales in the original is incredibly biting, while the sequel overwhelms with entirely new versions of classic figures.
Alas though, there must be a winner, and this round comes down to which film constructs the best fairy tale of its own merits. As wonderful as both films are, I must award this round to Shrek.
Though it thrives off the legacy of other fairy tales, Shrek has become a unique tale of its own, connecting with audiences over its encapsulation of loneliness and living as your most authentic self. The references are funny, but the core story swells with a realistic look at coming into our own that feels more genuine than some of Disney's best tales.
The sequel will always be legendary for its exciting story, which amplifies nearly every aspect of the original with no lack of quality. However, the originality, humor, and inventive character development, make Shrek the fairest of the franchise as well as one of the best animated films of all time.