Shrek 5 Needs to Ignore Internet Culture to Truly Shine!

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Summary

  • Shrek grew into a meme on the internet over the last decade, but Shrek 5 doesn’t need to focus on that.
  • Shrek 5’s teaser trailer hints at the movie leaning into internet culture, which could be worrying.
  • Shrek 5 must prioritize quality storytelling and avoid internet memes to appeal to families and stand the test of time.

The fifth installment of Shrek, titled “Shrek 5”, is slated to hit theaters on Christmas 2026. Already, fans of this classic series are eagerly anticipating their return to the swamp with their cherished characters from these adored films. As one of the most successful animated franchises ever, Shrek has significantly boosted DreamWorks and Universal Pictures, and it continues to dominate the internet.

Over the past ten years, Shrek has continued to thrive as it transformed into a meme, sparking an unusual internet community fixated on dissecting and reinventing all things related to Shrek. Although this keeps the series relevant and generates ongoing interest in the character, it might not be essential for Shrek 5 to delve into these details.

Shrek Has Become A Meme Over The Last Decade

In a seemingly innocent animated series like Shrek, there lies an unexpected and sometimes inappropriate side when delving into internet content related to the ogre. This transformation, fueled by the internet’s tendency to amplify its subjects, is one reason behind the dissatisfaction of fans over changes in the animation style, as it no longer aligns with their mental image of the character. However, the intense fandom surrounding Shrek has given rise to a rather unsettling universe, much of which is unsuitable for younger viewers – an audience that Shrek was originally designed for. Consequently, Shrek 5 chooses to disregard this aspect entirely, as it’s best described as an unwanted, humorous underground ogre realm that DreamWorks would love to erase with a magic spell from the Fairy Godmother.

Shrek 5’s Trailer Provides A Worrying Sign

So far, only a brief sneak peek or trailer for Shrek 5 has been released, primarily to generate excitement, unveil release details, and announce Zendaya as a cast member. With an impressive 13 million views on YouTube, it’s clear that these objectives were met. However, the teaser raises concerns about the direction the movie might take in light of the internet’s fascination with Shrek. The magic mirror scene showcases several elements that have gained popularity online – Shrek wearing glasses, a viral TikTok dance video featuring him as a giant, and an image of his body transformed to look muscular. This suggests that the creators may be capitalizing on the internet’s unusual infatuation with the green ogre and some of the bizarre content associated with him.

As a devoted Shrek fan, I can’t help but ponder aloud, “Who’s cooking up this sequel?” It seems like Universal Pictures might be playfully acknowledging the fact that Shrek has spawned its own subgenre, but if they intend to stick with the same joke-heavy approach seen in the trailer, then I must express my concerns. Frankly, those jokes seemed more like a cheap shot than a genuine attempt at humor, falling flat and failing to amuse me. If this is a glimpse of what Shrek 5 will offer, then it’s a situation that makes me uneasy.

Shrek 5 Must Focus On Quality Over Anything

Considering the extensive online culture surrounding the Shrek franchise now, it might seem appealing to incorporate these elements in Shrek 5 for amusement among those ‘in the know’. However, this approach could pose several challenges for the film as a whole. Firstly, our primary audience consists of families and particularly children who may not be deeply engaged with the internet or aware of its Shrek-related aspects. Incorporating too much of this online culture might be confusing or irrelevant to them. This could potentially deter the target audience seeking a straightforward animated movie offering humor that is easy to understand. Additionally, such a move might date the film, as timeless animated films can be rewatched without confusion. Internet-driven jokes and Shrek lore may not resonate in the future, making many of the proposed jokes in Shrek 5 either obsolete or unfunny.

In the realm of Shrek, it’s important to remember that it’s a fantasy world. Introducing some outlandish ideas from the internet into the movie might not align with the established tone and could potentially diminish its quality. Instead, we should concentrate on crafting an engaging narrative in various ways, but without incorporating the internet. This way, Shrek 5 can continue to be a fantastic animated film.

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2025-03-24 23:04