Shrek (film series)

2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Cartoons

The Shrek film series from DreamWorks Animation (based on William Steig's picture book, Shrek!) consists of eight projects, three of which have been released as feature films ( Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third ( 2007)). Shrek Goes Fourth is currently in pre-production, aiming for release in 2010. Shrek 5 is a sequel proposed for release in 2013. Two spin-off projects have been completed ( Shrek 4-D (2003 and Shrek The Halls ( 2007)), with one in the development phase ( Puss in Boots: The Story of an Ogre Killer), expected to be released in 2011.

Films

Order information

In order of release and storyline.

• Shrek (2001)
• Shrek 4-D (2003)
• Shrek 2 (2004)
• Shrek the Third (2007)
• Shrek the Halls (2007)
• Shrek Goes Fourth (2010)
• Puss in Boots: The Story of an Ogre Killer (2011)
• Shrek 5 (2013)

In 2004, Dreamworks Animation released a special DVD for the theatrical release of Shrek 2. It was titled Shrek 3-D and was released on May 14, 2004, just a few (five) days before Shrek 2 was released.

Shrek

Shrek, a lonely Ogre, finds a surprise when fairy tale creatures are sent to live in his swamp by the evil Lord Farquaad. Shrek befriends a talking Donkey, and the two set off to meet with Lord Farquaad. Lord Farquaad needs Princess Fiona to marry him so that he will become king. So when Shrek and Donkey visit him, they are forced to rescue Fiona from an amorous fire-breathing dragon for Farquaad to marry. The Dragon turns out to be a girl and she falls in love with Donkey. However Donkey escapes and Dragon chases them.

Once Shrek and Donkey rescued Fiona they take her back to Lord Farquaad. However Along the way, Shrek falls in love with Fiona. Fiona reveals she is cursed and turns into an Ogre at night. The only way the curse can be broken is by true loves first kiss. Fiona and Farquaad have a marriage ceremony; however they are interrupted by Shrek who tells Fiona he loves her. Shrek and Fiona kiss and Fiona turns into an Ogre permanently. Shrek gets his swamp back, and the two marry there. After a karaoke party the two set off on their honeymoon.

The film is set in a fairytale world, with funny appearances from commonly known fairytale characters. In July 2007, this film was played on Cartoon Network.

Shrek 2

The second film opens with Prince Charming on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from the Dragon. When he gets there he finds the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood in Fiona’s bed. He asks where Fiona is and the wolf tells him she is on her honeymoon with Shrek. Once Shrek and Fiona return from their honeymoon, they find Donkey in the swamp who tells them he and Dragon are going through a rough patch. They then get invited to the land of Far Far Away by Fiona’s parents who want to bless their marriage. When they arrive Shrek and Fiona aren’t what they expected. The evil Prince Charming and his mother, the Fairy Godmother, are trying to break up Shrek’s marriage by making Fiona fall in love with Prince Charming. However it doesn’t work and Shrek and Fiona stay together. Shrek and Donkey get a new sidekick called Puss in Boots.

Shrek the Third

Shrek and Fiona are reluctantly reigning over Far, Far Away during King Harold's prolonged illness. The King promises that if they can find Fiona's cousin Artie, he will make him the next in line, so Shrek doesn't have to run the country after his death. Further complicating matters is a little secret Fiona's been keeping, but the biggest problem is Prince Charming; he's gathered some new partners in crime and Far Far Away is going to go crazy -- Broadway style.

Shrek Goes Fourth

Shrek Goes Fourth is currently in pre-production, aiming for release on May 21, 2010. Tim Sullivan will write the film, and Mike Mitchell is in talks to direct. The principal cast members will all reprise their roles. The plot has yet to be announced, but according to Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, "We will come back to understand how Shrek arrived in that swamp. We will reveal his story," and Cameron Diaz has reportedly asked for the film to have an eco-friendly storyline about a threatened swamp. A deleted scene from Shrek the Third may be used, in which a talking tree explains that Artie is next in line for the Far Far Away throne.

Shrek Goes Fourth will be released in both 2-D and IMAX 3-D, as DreamWorks Animation is planning on releasing all their films in 3-D starting in 2009. Katzenberg has confirmed, however, that the film's "primary" release will be in 3-D.

Shrek 5

Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg confirmed that there would be a fifth movie and that "it's a finite story," indicating that it would be the final movie in the series.

Spin-Offs

Shrek 4-D

Shrek 4-D is a short film/ride at Universal Studios in Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida in Florida, Universal Studios Japan and Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia. It was first exhibited in 2003, and is a 3-D movie that slots in between Shrek and Shrek 2. It is called 4-D because physical effects are used to make the riders 'feel' the movie.

The short movie was released on DVD as Shrek 3-D and contains both anaglyph 3-D stereo version along with a conventional 2-D version; the title "Shrek 3-D" stays in both versions.

Shrek the Halls

Shrek the Halls is a 30-minute show made-for-television Christmas special of the Shrek franchise that originally aired on ABC on November 28, 2007.

Puss in Boots: The Story of an Ogre Killer

Puss in Boots: The Story of an Ogre Killer is an expected animated film spin-off focusing on the character Puss in Boots, set between the forthcoming Shrek Goes Fourth and the proposed Shrek 5. The film would be released in 2011, with Antonio Banderas reprising his role as Puss in Boots, as well as playing Puss' twin brother.

Shrek or Treat

Shrek or Treat is a 30-minute show made-for-television Halloween special of the Shrek franchise that would be released in 2009 or 2010.