Dream Works Animation has revealed the long anticipated, first look trailer of Shrek 5. The long running ended animation franchise will return with its original characters Shrek, Fiona and Donkey as well as introducing a new generation of characters set for release on June 30, 2027. The trailer uses nostalgic references to show fans that this new film will have both an exciting adventure for long-time fans of Shrek and new generation of viewers of Shrek.
Storyline
Shrek and Fiona have been living in Far-Far-Away with their children for Several years after the events of Shrek 4, including their daughter, Felicia, as voiced by Zendaya. The teaser trailer features many of the family dynamics we have seen through out the history of Shrek including; family activities, funny moments, and the challenges faced by parents in the fantasy world of Far-Far-Away when raising teens.
While much of the plot remains unknown at this time, the teaser trailer has already given some information on the journey Shrek & Fiona will take with their family and friends (both Old and New). Characters Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey are back but in new roles thanks to Felicia (Fiona) and Fergus/Farkley (each character is referred to by two names). This seemingly fits in perfectly with the theme of family-friendly comedy and fairy tale adventure; therefore, it will combine classic story-telling with modern story-telling very nicely.
Positive Points
The lead cast returns to reprise their roles the same way they did as the original cast and continue to create a magical experience with their characters continuing from the original movie. The animation artwork looks really polished, both in terms of colourful environments and character design. The addition of Zendaya adds some star power and excitement, as well. The humour is very much in keeping with the brand's humour style. This trailer definitely gives fans the same off-the-wall fairytale parody feel that has entertained fans of this franchise for over two decades.
Negative Points
The trailer does not give anything at all away regarding what the main conflict of the story will be. This makes it impossible to predict the film's overall narrative strength. Also, for some viewers, it may appear that this trailer is using a lot of nostalgia and simply not creating something unique actually. Thus, there is a danger that this sequel may not capture the same magic from the first two films.
Overall: Those who are looking forward to seeing Shrek 5 will be pleased with this Teaser Trailer. The nostalgia factor is very high, with lots of laughs, emotions and characters that are familiar. Although we still do not know much about the actual story, the trailer does create anticipation for the upcoming film based on what we already know about the franchise and its previous releases. If the filmmakers manage to strike a good balance between building upon the previous accomplishments of Shrek and coming up with something new, the fifth installment could be just as much of a hit in the fairytale world.
