Animation : Stage 32 Animation World Cup — DreamWorks: Round 1, Part 2 by Joshua Michael Powell

Oh, man. That's a good matchup; I'll give you that. Both of these were really good and interesting: Shrek established DreamWorks's identity, while Kung Fu Panda had some powerhouse morals. Both of these are powerhouse franchises for DreamWorks, so I'm not sure if we are talking about the first movies or the respective franchises. But if we are just talking in general, I'd say that Kung Fu Panda, just for how they integrate so much philosophy to really think about. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift; that's why it's called the present." Oogway's quote still stays with me. So, just by the philosophies alone, Kung Fu Panda.

Daniel Cronin I appreciate the extreme detail in your answer. I agree, Kung Fu Panda has a surprising amount of philosophy beneath all the comedy and action. Oogway alone gave us some lines that have stuck around for years.

One thing that always fascinates me about Shrek, though, is knowing Chris Farley was originally cast as Shrek. It makes me wonder how different the character, and maybe even the franchise, would have felt.

And great question on the matchup! For the World Cup, I'm grouping sequels with the original as one franchise. Otherwise Pixar and Dreamworks might take over half the tournament by themselves. So you're voting for Shrek vs. Kung Fu Panda as franchises, not just the original films.

Sounds like I've got you down for Kung Fu Panda!

I have to go with Shrek. My laughter was nearly nonstop with that movie. Not an easy choice, because Kung Fu Panda had a great story and the action sequences were great. For me though, Shrek had it all.

That's hard I can't describe it it's soooo hard I lived with them in my childhood

wow, a tough call but have to say SHREK. I remember as a parent to young kids, bus full of us adults and a bunch of kids heading for the mountains and everyone creasing up watching it. I said this before in the Incredibles versus Ratatouille - part of the charm of kids/family movies such as these is that the adults watching aren't just there for the kids, they're entertained too! So the fact that both use the nuanced, ADULT humor without distracting the kids from the main story for me is pure genius. Also, for the first time really, the idea of an ugly, antisocial ogre being the hero of a kids story was used. And rarely, SHREK 2 is as amazing, if not better (yes, Puss in Boots and his police chase and the pink thonged Pinoccio ). I do love Kung Fu Panda very much too but also, give me Mike Myers over Jack Black anytime.

Shrek for me. It was funny enough for kids and adults, but what stayed with me was the heart underneath it. Making an antisocial ogre the hero felt fresh, and it’s still one of those movies I can watch again and enjoy.

Kung Fu Panda.

To add to what others have said, I love stories that exist for reasons beyond entertainment. Stories that actually shape society in a meaningful way. There are people who genuinely need a story like Kung Fu Panda to remind them they are human and that they're seen.

Finding your place in society is a dream we all have. A dream most never achieve, according to the wisest people in human history. While a lot of movies try to emulate this lesson and conclusion, not many are as satisfying as Kung Fu Panda.

I put Kung Fu Panda up there with Flight of the Navigator. Flight of the Navigator was apparently created by the writer with the intention of trying to explain to their children that just because their parents are separating does not mean you're losing your family, but are actually adding to it. -- It's actually quite beautiful... If it's true. lol.

I will say, though, Shrek is a lot of fun. I love the design of Shrek himself, and how relatable he is to different age groups for different reasons. Shrek is a movie I could watch at 10, and, when I get there, I'm sure I'll watch it at 60. Shrek is revolutionary in his design in that way. He "has layers." <3

Shrek.

And this one isn’t particularly close for me.

Kung Fu Panda is fantastic. Po has a great character arc, the action is legitimately good, and the “there is no secret ingredient” payoff is one of DreamWorks’ best emotional moments.

But Shrek changed the game.

It didn’t just succeed as an animated movie. It gave DreamWorks a personality completely separate from Disney. It mocked fairy-tale conventions while still delivering a genuinely emotional story about insecurity, rejection, and letting someone love you when you don’t think you’re worthy of it.

And nearly 25 years later, people are still quoting it, memeing it, watching it, and introducing it to their kids.

Round 2: SHREK.

Get outta my swamp, Po.

Hello Joshua Michael Powell. I pick Shrek love both, though!

I’m voting for Shrek because it combined comedy, originality, memorable characters, and heart while making a fairy-tale world feel fresh and completely its own.

Shrek...the wait for true love's form....stopped everyone's hearts and souls for one brief, unforgettable, reality-suspending moment....that's what film aspires to do, at its core.

I like both, but gotta go with Shrek on this one. :) I think visually Kung fu Panda wins because the animation just looks better, but story wise I say Shrek and to me story matters more than looks. I am a sucker for a true love story and honestly, Shrek stays in the mind longer than the other film, well for me at least. After watching Shrek I find myself thinking about it off and on. After watching Kung fu Panda I think, "That was a good movie" and then don't really think about it later. So for me, Shrek wins.

Kung Fu Panda for sure!

Shrek is a story the borrows a lot from from fairy tales, myths, and therefore it is a derivative - of sorts. This means it is not really entirely an 'original' story, if you really think about it. There is a mix of fairy tales being combined here.

Kung Fu Panda is entirely original. Enough said! :)

Shrek for me

And the winner is :) Kung Fu Panda!

This one sparked a great debate, but Shrek takes the round and advances!

Kung Fu Panda definitely had its defenders—and for good reason—but Shrek’s combination of heart, comedy, memorable characters, and staying power carried the vote.

Thanks to everyone who voted and especially those who explained why. Those conversations are what make this tournament fun.

Shrek moves on. Next matchup coming soon!

would choose Shrek because I believe this animated film carries a beautiful and powerful message. It teaches us that what truly matters is not how someone looks on the outside, but who they are on the inside.

Shrek shows children the importance of kindness, acceptance, and looking beyond appearances. It reminds us that everyone deserves to be loved, respected, and accepted for who they truly are.

I think this is an incredibly valuable lesson for children: true beauty comes from the heart, not from physical appearance. ❤️

Both films ask whether we are defined by what we were created to do or by what we choose to become.

But what if that choice is an illusion?

Neither robot chooses the nature of its programming, nor the experiences that transform it. Even its rebellion may simply be another expression of what it was capable of becoming.

Perhaps neither humans nor robots are truly free. We are temporary expressions of a larger process that continues through us, without necessarily having a purpose.

The real question may not be what we choose to become, but whether we could ever have become anything else.