Historical Texts (part 5/5)- 'Shrek' (2001) & 'Shrek 2' (2004)

About the Text:

a. Shrek- DreamWorks Animation SKG ‘Shrek’ (2001) was the first of what was to become the most successful CGI animation brand of all time. It is said to be ‘the greatest fairy tale, NEVER TOLD!’ The film involves an ogre playing the role of the hero as he and an annoying donkey rescues Princess Fiona from a castle. The film plays with past fairy tales such as Pinocchio, the three little pigs and the big bad wolf; however they are altered for a comical effect. (E.g. the Big Bad Wolf from little red riding hood wears a grandma outfit.

b. Shrek 2- sequel to ‘Shrek’ (2001). Sometimes sequels are not as good as the original however ‘Shrek 2’ is shown through its ratings better than 'Shrek'.

Significance to the development of the genre/ achievements for the genre:

· Shrek is the most popular and successful animation brand

· Shrek 2 scored the fourth-largest three-day opening weekend in US history.

· The largest opening for an animated movie until May 18th, 2007, when it was eclipsed by its sequel ‘Shrek the Third’ (2007)

· In 2006, it was announced as the 3rd highest box office grossing film of all time in the United States Worldwide, it is the ninth highest-grossing film of all time.

· It went on to be the most successful film in 2004.

· Shrek 2 was the first animation to use technical software called the ‘bounce shader’. The software allowed light to naturally bounce from one surface to another to create more natural and life-like surroundings.

Society at the time:

2001

· Fairy Tales are well known for having morals. The moral of this fairy tale is that you should not judge a book by its cover. Shrek is a large, green ogre who has no friends and is an outcast of society. This reflects society as people are judged on their appearance and is shown by looking at Hollywood films who never having a person who could be defined as ‘ugly’. It is also due to appearance that sometimes bullying occurs. In addition, in Shrek 2, this is clearly illustrated by King Harold’s reaction to seeing that his daughter is married to an ogre, ‘Shrek’.

· Stereotypically, heroes tend to be big strong brave and handsome, not a big green ogre. Although through appearance, Shrek may not appear to be the hero, instead he has the appearance to be the villain, but through his actions he seen as a hero whereas the handsome ‘Prince Charming’ plays the villain as the roles is reversed.

· The beginning of the New Millennium (21st century)

· September 11th, The New York World Trader Centres are attacked and destroyed by terrorist
· War on Terrorism begins

2004

· Bullying was a problem in the UK. 1 in 5 parents have a child that is bullied. The issue is taken very serious and was shown by having the UK’s first ever ‘anti-bullying’ week. Shrek does reflect bullying through the way we see Shrek being treated by others.

Source/s:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrek
2. http://www.shrek.com/main.php
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrek_2
4. http://www.filmeducation.org/primary/animation/history.htmlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4027089.stm

Other Texts:

· Here is short list of other significant animation texts which I may refer to when proving that ‘CGI animation has secured the box office success of the animation genre’.

· Useful site: http://www.filmeducation.org/primary/animation/history.html

1. ‘Shrek 2’ (2004)- used the first technical software to make light naturally bounce from one surface to another to create more natural and life-like surroundings.

2. ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)- Best selling DVD of all time (28 million copies)

3. Walt Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ (1994)- the highest- grossing traditionally animated feature film

4. ‘Tom and Jerry’ (1940-57) - considered one of the best animated cartoon series ever, an Academy awarding winning animated cartoon series

5. ‘Wallace and Gromit’- Oscar winning stop-motion animation

6. Walt Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)­- It is the first and only full-length animated feature film to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

7. 'Sprit: Stallion of the Cimarron’ (2002)- Combines CGI with hand drawn animation

8. ‘Tron’ (1982)- was the first animated feature film made by a computer

9. ‘Tin Toy’ (1988)- provided the inspiration for ‘Toy Story’ (1997)