- Shares
- 40
DreamWorks has decided it’s time to return to the swamp, but not everyone is thrilled about it. After years of speculation, Shrek 5 is officially happening, and the first teaser has arrived. However, the reception hasn’t been the triumphant welcome the studio likely expected. Fans were caught off guard by the animation style, which has drastically altered the beloved look of Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey. Adding to the surprise, Zendaya has joined the cast as Felicia, Shrek and Fiona’s teenage daughter, marking the first major expansion of the core family since the franchise began in 2001. While the return of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy ensures some familiarity, reactions to the teaser have been anything but warm.
The teaser, barely 20 seconds long, gives little insight into the story but quickly introduces Zendaya’s character, Felicia, who sports Fiona’s red hair and Shrek’s distinctive eyes. While this addition to the family tree could have been a major talking point, most of the discussion has focused on the animation changes. Shrek and Donkey, in particular, appear far more polished, losing the rugged charm that defined their original designs. Fans immediately noticed the difference, with many voicing their frustration online. In response, Universal Pictures quietly disabled YouTube comments and hid the dislike count.
Instead of a grand return to the fairy tale world, the clip focuses on Shrek and Donkey scrolling through what appears to be a medieval version of TikTok via the Magic Mirror. The feed is filled with bizarre content, including dancing Shrek and a shirtless version of the ogre, all seemingly posted by Pinocchio. Rather than building excitement, this sequence left audiences questioning the direction of the film. If this is the humour Shrek 5 is leaning into, it’s not the kind of sharp parody that made the franchise iconic in the first place.
Much of the visual shift comes down to technological advancements. DreamWorks has moved to a new animation engine, MoonRay, which was introduced with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. While that film’s animation was widely praised for its painterly, storybook aesthetic, Shrek 5 appears to have taken a different approach. Instead of embracing the stylised look that made The Last Wish so distinctive, this sequel seems to have opted for hyper-polished textures that many feel strip away the original charm.
While the teaser’s reception has been shaky, Shrek remains one of DreamWorks’ most beloved properties. Nostalgia alone could carry Shrek 5 to massive box office numbers, regardless of how well it lands with die-hard fans. The last main instalment, Shrek Forever After, hit theatres in 2010, and in the years since, interest in the franchise has remained strong. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proved that audiences are still invested in the fairy tale world, leaving hope that Shrek 5 can deliver something worthwhile despite the early backlash.
For now, DreamWorks has time to course-correct, whether by refining the animation style or reassuring fans that the humour will be more than internet meme gags. Whether Shrek 5 ends up being a welcome return or an unnecessary revival remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — Shrek isn’t leaving the swamp anytime soon.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Si Jia
