Shrek 2
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| Shrek 2 | |
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| Name | Shrek 2 |
| Caption | Theatrical release poster |
| Director | Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon |
| Producer | Aron Warner |
| Based on | Characters from the Shrek franchise by William Steig |
| Starring | Mike Myers; Eddie Murphy; Cameron Diaz; Antonio Banderas |
| Music | Harry Gregson-Williams; John Powell |
| Studio | DreamWorks Animation |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Released | May 19, 2004 |
| Runtime | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $150 million |
| Gross | $928.7 million |
Shrek 2 Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The sequel continues the adventures of the ogre protagonist after the events of the first film, expanding its world with new fairy-tale figures and celebrity voice performances. It blends parody, pop culture references, and a soundtrack combining original score and contemporary songs while achieving major commercial success and award recognition.
Plot
The story follows the green ogre and his bride as they travel to the kingdom where her parents reign, confronting royal expectations, fairy-tale politics, and schemes plotted by a royal advisor. A mysterious potion, a transformation, and a hired assassin complicate their welcome, while allies including a swashbuckling companion and a loud-mouthed friend work to expose deceit. Subplots involve identity, acceptance, and the negotiation of personal change, leading to a climactic confrontation at a royal ball and a resolution that reshapes relationships among monarchs and rebels.
Cast and characters
The film features a voice ensemble including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas. Supporting voices include Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Jennifer Saunders, Rupert Everett, and Christina Applegate, supplemented by appearances from comic and dramatic performers. Central characters introduced or expanded are a feline swordsman, a conniving royal counselor, and transformed versions of familiar figures. The cast blends established actors from theater, film, and television, bringing interpretations informed by stage work, screen comedy, and voice acting traditions.
Production
Development followed the commercial and critical success of the original, prompting DreamWorks Animation to commission a sequel with an expanded production pipeline and larger budget. Direction was shared among filmmakers with prior credits in animation and feature films, as the studio coordinated visual development, model rigging, and crowd-simulation systems. The screenplay adapted motifs from the original book author’s characters while integrating references to contemporary films and celebrity personas, leveraging motion-capture workflows, keyframe animation, and updated rendering technologies. Music production involved composers who had collaborated on prior installments and used orchestral scoring combined with pop arrangements. Marketing and merchandising strategies were tied to themed partnerships, promotional tours, and tie-in products across multiple markets.
Release and box office
The film premiered in 2004 and opened in wide release through Universal Pictures. It set or surpassed contemporary box office records for animated releases and earned substantial international receipts across markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its global gross placed it among the highest-grossing animated films of its time, contributing to DreamWorks Animation’s market position and influencing distribution windows, home media scheduling, and ancillary licensing deals. The theatrical run was followed by release on DVD, VHS, and later digital platforms, with special editions including bonus features, commentaries, and behind-the-scenes segments.
Reception and accolades
Critics offered largely positive reviews, praising voice performances, humour, and visual design while noting tonal shifts and adult-oriented references. The film received nominations and awards from institutions recognizing animated features, sound editing, and music. It was acknowledged by industry guilds and festival juries, appeared on year-end lists compiled by major publications, and influenced discussions at film festivals and trade gatherings. Box office success and awards recognition reinforced the franchise’s cultural footprint and led to further installments, spin-offs, and collaborations.
Soundtrack and score
The soundtrack combined original score cues by composers who had previously collaborated on animated features with licensed tracks performed by contemporary recording artists. Musical supervision assembled a mix of pop covers, period pastiche, and orchestral themes that underscored emotional beats and action sequences. Recording sessions utilized orchestras, soloists, and studio artists, and the soundtrack album charted on national sales lists and received airplay across radio formats. The score’s thematic material was later incorporated into subsequent franchise entries and live adaptations.
Mike Myers Eddie Murphy Cameron Diaz Antonio Banderas Julie Andrews John Cleese Jennifer Saunders Rupert Everett Christina Applegate Andrew Adamson Kelly Asbury Conrad Vernon Aron Warner DreamWorks Animation Universal Pictures Harry Gregson-Williams John Powell William Steig Mike Mitchell Jeffrey Katzenberg Jerry Seinfeld Shrek Forever After Puss in Boots (film) Donkey (character) Fiona (Shrek) Ogres in fiction Fairy tale Parody film Animated feature film Motion capture Keyframe animation CGI animation Box office record DVD VHS Soundtrack album Orchestral music Pop music Film festival Awards ceremony Golden Globe Awards Academy Awards BAFTA Awards Annie Awards Satellite Awards Screen Actors Guild National Board of Review Variety (magazine) The Hollywood Reporter Box Office Mojo IMDb Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic Home media Merchandising Marketing Promotional tour Voice acting Screenplay Film score Recording session Orchestra Music supervision Sound editing Animation studio Computer animation Rendering (computer graphics) Modeling (computer graphics) Rigging (animation) Crowd simulation Special edition DVD Behind-the-scenes Commentary track Live-action adaptation Spin-off film Sequel film Franchise (media) International release Box office gross Opening weekend Critical reception Year-end list Cultural impact Celebrity cameo Voice ensemble Swashbuckling hero Royal advisor Fairy-tale figures Transformation (plot device) Identity (theme) Acceptance (theme) Royal ball Assassin (fiction) Puss in Boots Donkey Fiona King and Queen Royal family Humour Parody Pop culture references Contemporary song Licensed music Cover version Chart performance Sales figures Home media sales Ancillary licensing Tie-in product Promotional partnership DreamWorks Classics Nickelodeon Paramount Pictures Disney (brand) Warner Bros. Pictures 20th Century Studios Sony Pictures Releasing Illumination (company) Pixar Animation Studios Walt Disney Pictures Hollywood studios Animation industry Film distribution Theatrical release International market Box office weekend Ticket sales Franchise sequel Animated comedy Fantasy comedy 2004 films 21st-century animated films
Category:2004 films Category:DreamWorks Animation films