Shrek

In a Hollywood atmosphere that currently seems obsessed with stretching even the most moderate of box-office successes into a full blown franchise, sequels and prequels are a ubiquitous presence in cinema multiplexes. But in the world of animated cinema, where the construction of a film requires infinitely more hard work and dedication than a live action picture, sequels tend to emerge that better the original- a much rarer occurrence amongst many Hollywood pictures.

Gerard Butler stars in How To Train Your Dragon 2 which has won copious plaudits.

That’s not to say there aren’t a few howlers either, animated studios such as Pixar and Disney are just as susceptible as the rest of the film world in dispensing some truly woeful and misguided follow ups. The likes of Cars 2 and Rio 2 left no-one with the life affirming sense of warmth that truly brilliant animated films of this type should provide. As is universally recognised, a mark of greatness from an animated film is its ability to simultaneously appeal to children and the adults who accompany them to the big screen. The likes of Shrek 1 & 2 and the Toy Story trilogy are prime examples of catering for both age groups through crafty pop culture references and subtle entendre.

Continue reading: What Is It About Animated Sequels?

Who isn’t obscenely excited about the news that DreamWorks Animation is due to team up with the chaps behind the London Eye ferris wheel to create a Shrek themed attraction park on London’s South Bank? We’ve been missing the grumpy green ogre lately so news that we’ll get the chance to meet him and all his pals in summer 2015 has probably got us more riled up than if we’d heard that Kate Middleton had become pregnant with quadruplets and was due to give birth to four royal babies at once (she isn’t).

Visitors to the Shrek theme park will get the chance to meet Shrek and Fiona

The theme park will be called ‘Shrek’s Far Far Away Adventure’ and will be one of six sites set up around the globe. The London Shrek site will be the first to open it’s door (yay for us!) while five more will be opened over the next 9 years, due for completion in 2023. Not only will visitors to the theme park get the chance to meet Shrek, Fiona and all of the swamp gang, characters from Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon will also be at ‘Shrek’s Far Far Away Adventure’. This cements our as of yet unexpressed opinion (for fear of backlash) that when they’re not busy filming, Disney characters really do come to life and all hang out with each other. Toy Story had a deep emotional impact on us as children.

Continue reading: Shrek World? Hunger Games Land? The Rise Of Movie Themed Parks

DreamWorks Animation is teaming up with Merlin Entertainments to create a Shrek-themed attraction in London on the city’s famous Southbank – a central hub for entertainment and the arts. The "live interactive adventure" will guide audiences as they encounter the franchise’s most famous characters: Shrek, Fiona and Puss in Boots amongst others.

See these two, sort of, in London soon

The 6,500-square-foot Shrek attraction will include a courtyard where visitors other characters from the DreamWorks catalogue, including "Kung Fu Panda", "Madagascar" and "How to Train Your Dragon." The commercial side of the venture comprises a store and a rotating exhibit highlighting DreamWorks Animation film and DVD releases.

Continue reading: Shrek-Themed Attraction Heading To London's South Bank