Shrek 2 Recreating a Sony Superhero Film’s Most Memorable Moment is Exactly Why its Still Legendary After 20 Years
2004’s animated fantasy comedy movie Shrek 2 is loosely based on the 1990 children’s picture book by William Steig titled Shrek! Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon directed the second installment of Shrek movies and the sequel to 2001’s Shrek. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz voiced the characters of Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona.
The sequel follows the events of the first movie, with Shrek and Donkey teaming up with Puss in the Boots to foil the plans of Fairy Godmother, who wants Princess Fiona to marry her son Prince Charming and destroy Shrek’s and her marriage. The movie is now celebrating its 20th anniversary and has been re-released in theaters. But one particular scene from the sequel makes it one of the most iconic.
Shrek 2 recreated Sony Pictures’ 2002’s Spider-Man’s iconic scene
Sony Pictures’ 2002 Spider-Man, starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst and directed by Sam Raimi, was one of the biggest superhero movies of the time. It was the first movie to reach $100 million in a single weekend, as well as the most successful movie based on a comic book at the time. The iconic upside-down kiss between Spider-Man and MJ is still one of the most memorable scenes from the movie.
Shrek 2 recreated the same scene as in the movie when, during their honeymoon, Shrek gets caught in a trap set up in a forest, which flips him upside down. His face is dunked in the mud and he is left dangling from a branch of the tree. The mud creates a Spider-Man sort of mask on Shrek’s face which Princess Fiona wipes off after she comes to rescue him. After wiping the mud off his face, she kisses him.
Their kiss reminds me of the upside-down kiss shared between Spider-Man and MJ. Fans found the scene memorable and iconic just like the original. (Vis BI) Ahead of its release in 2004, the movie competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was met with highly favorable reviews. The animated movie at the time grossed over $935 million worldwide.
Shrek 2 was released at a time when there were not many animated movies that were as popular as Shrek, which is why it remained the highest-grossing animated movie for years. The re-release of the movie to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie was also planned to introduce a new generation of fans to the characters’ magic on the screen.
Shrek has climbed the charts since its return to Netflix
2001’s Shrek made its return to the streaming platform. Netflix has been climbing the charts, taking the number-one spot on Thursday according to CBR. The movie premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and competed for the Palme d’Or, making it the first animated movie to compete for the award since 1953’s Peter Pan.
The animated movie won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which eventually helped DreamWorks Animation stand against Pixar in a feature film computer animation. Shrek movies are regarded as one of the most influential animated movies of the 2000s. While announcing the re-release of Shrek 2 in theaters, the president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures shared, (via PR Newswire)
The Shrek franchise has become a cultural touchstone and has brought joy to audiences around the world for more than two decades. Its impact on popular culture has been profound, transcending generations, and it continues to resonate with viewers long after its initial release.
Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever were released in 2007 and 2010, respectively, along with Puss in the Boots in 2011 as the spin-off. With each installment, the franchise cemented its status in the industry and cultural phenomena, making it one of the most beloved franchises.
Shrek 2 is streaming on Peacock.
