The iconic 2000’s film – featuring our loveable green Ogre – Shrek, turns 20 this month. To celebrate this legacy, here’s a top-four ranking of all the Shrek films, after a whole week of binging through them!
4) Shrek Forever After
Let’s start off this list with the most recent Shrek film from 2010: Shrek Forever After. This film isn’t a ‘bad’ film, but unfortunately, it just doesn’t live up to par with the others on this list. When analysing all of the films, this one has a storyline that just felt unnecessary and not needed. It doesn’t progress the plot, it just reverses it with a twist by introducing Rumpelstiltskin, and then everything is happily ever after once again.
Some moments which are enjoyable were watching more of Shrek and Fiona together with their love being reimagined, as well as the general feeling throughout that the film was indeed the final chapter of the Shrek series. However, at times when rewatching, it felt like watching a cheap knock-off of a Shrek film, or rather I view it as the most forgettable and one I wish least to rewatch.
Nevertheless, all the Shrek films have their iconic moments, but it just falls short in comparison to the other great titles.
3) Shrek The Third
“The film where they have the Ogre babies” – Shrek the Third places third (ironically) on this list.
The third installment in the series is a pretty decent film, where the storyline of Shrek is developed even further after the explosive events of the second film. Shrek finds himself not wanting to be King of Far Far Away after the death of his father-in-law, so he sets off in the quest for one of the potential next successors – Archie.
However, what I believe slightly ruins the film is the character of Archie. In my view, he’s just so unlikeable, whiny, and puts a damper on the mood. If they replaced his character or even just given him so personality traits that were humorous, then potentially this could’ve been even higher on the ranking list.
Although, I must point out one of the things I adored about this film was the introduction of the princesses, from Snow White to the wicked Rapunzel. The way they all had fully fleshed, comical personalities was hilarious and this side plot tangled in so well within the story. The Queen of Far Far Away head-butting the prison wall was genius and so unexpected, I just loved it.
One of the most memorable moments of this film has to be when the princesses do the badass fight scene with the guards while “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin plays in the background. Iconic.
2) Shrek
The film that started it all back in 2001. Our second place in this list belongs rightly to the original Shrek film, where we were first introduced to our main trio: Shrek (Mike Myers), Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy).
The loveable classic is one we all begin to start off with and one which we cannot skip. Every time anyone listens to the classic track: “All Star” by Smash Mouth, you immediately think of this film and resort back to the time of watching our amusing green Ogre for the first time.
What makes this movie special is how its a spin on the typical fairy tale, where Shrek in this example is our protagonist but he isn’t the typical prince, he’s an Ogre with layers (you get the joke) who is on a not so typical quest to save Princess Fiona from the dragons lair.
Fiona herself is just brilliant in this film, she stands out from the standard damsel in distress and revamps herself into a powerful fighter who takes ownership of her life and choses what she wants to do and live her life with Shrek. I do wish this version of Fiona was introduced more throughout like she was in the first two films.
Furthermore, Donkey was and still is one of the best sidekicks in a film to date. How can you not love Donkey, he is what makes the Shrek films for what they are today. From his introduction as a ‘flying Donkey’ to the annoying Shrek constantly on his journey, he is just a pure animation legend.
People may have mixed feelings on this title, but I believe its just so enjoyable you cannot hate or dislike watching it when its on the TV.
1) Shrek 2
If there is a top-four ranking list of the Shrek films and they don’t place Shrek 2 in first, then the writer has no clear right to even watch Shrek and judge the films. This film is the standout of all remakes ever made in film history.
From the dynamic storyline, to the introduction of iconic characters such as the Fairy Godmother, whose performance of “I need a hero” is MAGIC (thank you, Jennifer Saunders). Who hasn’t been on a night out and attempted the whole performance of this song, because I certainly have.
What makes this film shine brightly among the rest is how every part of it just works together cohesively. The plot, the characters, the writing, and the animation. It just all interlinks and its production is one of the most beautiful films to ever shown.
The film is remarkably one of the best films ever made and there is no shadow of a doubt that most sequels fail to live up to its standards. It’s arguably the best sequel in all of cinema history and it will forever remain that way.
Many of us would not say no to another Shrek film, however if it’s going to be remade as the rumours predict, then they would have to tread very carefully, otherwise it faces the threat of overcasting the rest of the franchise in a negative light. Lets hope DreamWorks bring it back and even better. Happy 20th anniversary Shrek!
By Jack Proverbs
Feature image: DreamWorks