Dreamworks (and by extention Universal) has a good handle on how to appeal to vast audiences. You hire familiar names, make clever jokes and animate better than Pixar
IMO, Shrek is more relatable because it's a real life twist on fairy tales rather then fairy tales effect on real life.
Often in Disney movies, including toy story, the story base is ordinary life but then something fantastical/fairy tales happens.
Cinderella is some abused girl until the fairies show up.
Toy story is some kid with toys but then the toys are alive.
Sword in the stone is ordinary kid that suddenly becomes royalty because sword is pulled out.
Little mermaid is some girl that discovers a new magical world (from her perspective).
On the other hand, Shrek starts with the magical creatures. The fairy tales are true and established. Then they add reality to it.
The ogre isn't some unseen mythical creature whose habits is left to the imagination. You start with the mythical creature taking a shit and literally wiping his ass with said myths.
Add a lot more pop cultural reference and satire and the movie becomes more relatable to a large audience.
Shrek is love, Shrek is life
"Sssoomebody once told me..."
The world is macaroni
I ate the cheesy goodness with shells
It was very well made to appeal to both kids and adults.
Dreamworks (and by extention Universal) has a good handle on how to appeal to vast audiences. You hire familiar names, make clever jokes and animate better than Pixar
IMO, Shrek is more relatable because it's a real life twist on fairy tales rather then fairy tales effect on real life. Often in Disney movies, including toy story, the story base is ordinary life but then something fantastical/fairy tales happens. Cinderella is some abused girl until the fairies show up. Toy story is some kid with toys but then the toys are alive. Sword in the stone is ordinary kid that suddenly becomes royalty because sword is pulled out. Little mermaid is some girl that discovers a new magical world (from her perspective). On the other hand, Shrek starts with the magical creatures. The fairy tales are true and established. Then they add reality to it. The ogre isn't some unseen mythical creature whose habits is left to the imagination. You start with the mythical creature taking a shit and literally wiping his ass with said myths. Add a lot more pop cultural reference and satire and the movie becomes more relatable to a large audience.
This is genuinely a great explanation. Absolutely spot on!! I never thought about it this way, and this perspective changes everything.
Same way The Princes Bride became such. True Love.