Shrek is an animated film series based on William Steig's picture book, Shrek!. It is a series of eight films from DreamWorks Animation; five of them feature films and three spin-offs. Three have been released as feature films: Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), and Shrek the Third (2007). Shrek Goes Fourth is in pre-production stage and is proposed to be released in 2010. Shrek 5 is intended for release in 2013.

Two of the Shrek spin-offs have been released: Shrek 4-D (2003) and Shrek The Halls (2007). One spin-off is in the development phase, Puss in Boots: The Story of an Ogre Killer, expected to be shown in 2011.

Plot

Set in a fairy tale world, the first installment introduces Shrek, a solitary ogre, who is surprised when Lord Farquaad relocates fairy tale creatures to his swamp. The evil lord agrees to remove them from his property if he brings to him Princess Fionna. Shrek and Donkey rescue the princess who turns into an ogress at night. The curse can only be broken by a true love's kiss. On Farquaad and Fiona's wedding, Shrek and the princess kiss, but she permanently turns into an ogress. Shrek marries Fiona and reclaims his swamp.

In Shrek 2, Shrek and Fiona meet the latter's parents who want to bless their wedding. The evil Fairy Godmother try to break up the marriage by making Fiona fall in love with the vain Prince Charming. But it does not work. With their friends (including their new sidekick, Puss in Boots), Shrek and Donkey stop the evil plans Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming.

In Shrek the Third, Shrek and Fiona are next in line to rule the kingdom of Far, Far Away. But Shrek refuses, saying that an ogre as a king is not a good idea at all. There is one solution: find another possible heir, Fiona's cousin Artie. Shrek sets off to get the heir, an underachieving high schooler. While he is away, Prince Charming, who has found new allies, returns to the kingdom. But Shrek, Artie, Donkey, and Puss in Boots eventually save the day.

Production

Andrew Adamson directed the first and second installments and Chris Miller the third. The series features the voices of Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Julie Andrews (Queen Lilian), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad), and Justin Timberlake (Artie).

The film series features astounding breakthroughs hailed as the "Holy Grails" of computer animation. It showcases realistic humans, who can express both emotion and dialogue through a facial animation system. The animation also uses "Shapers," which applies interacting layers of muscle, bone, skin, fat, hair, and clothing to achieve complex facial and body movements.

The three films were edited by Sim Evan-Jones and Michael Andrews. John Powell and Harry Gregson-Williams made the music.

Critical response

Overall, critics raved about how Shrek deconstructed fairy tale. Unlike traditional fairy tales, the hero in this film series is an ugly and intimidating ogre and the princess is not your typical Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. It cleverly spoofs Disney movies and makes an old point in a very interesting new way.

Box-office performance

Shrek is one of the most successful film franchises ever, with the three films amassing a total gross of $2.2 billion worldwide. The first film made $484 million in the box-office, Shrek 2 grossed almost $920 million, and Shrek the Third is successful at $798 million.