There is a long-standing argument as to whether the original Shrek is the best in the franchise, or if Shrek 2 is the one to take the crown. Both movies are amazing in their own right and definitely reign at first and second-best of the entirety in the franchise, but many fans jump back and forth when it comes to actually choosing a favorite.
Shrek lays the groundwork and has a super tightly knit story for the whole family to enjoy, while Shrek 2 adds a bit to the franchise, introducing new characters along the way. The soundtracks in both films are vastly superior to many other film soundtracks and fit the films wonderfully.
Shrek 2: Lore
Shrek 2 expands the world that viewers first saw in Shrek. There is so much more lore to the Shrek universe, like how Fiona got cursed and where she is a princess from, where do all the other fairytale creatures come from, and just so much more.
Shrek 2 does an amazing job at expanding this world by introducing audiences to Far, Far Away land that acts as a modern city with a fairytale-like landscape. Picture castles and horse carriages down Hollywood Boulevard.
Original: Opening Sequence
The opening sequence for the first Shrek is one of the best there is. It introduces audiences to Shrek, the big, green, ogre who really likes living alone in his swamp.
Fart jokes and cozy man living paired with the sensational "All Star" by Smash Mouth became an instant classic as fans still sing the song and immediately think of the movie. The opening sequence shows a day in the life of Shrek and helps viewers understand why he likes his solitude.
Shrek 2: Plot
The plot of Shrek 2 is incredibly amazing and complex. Shrek and Fiona, now married, are invited to the kingdom of Far, Far Away to meet her (totally human) parents. Shrek is terrified of whether to not they'll like him and gets pretty self-conscious about the whole thing, considering the last time they saw her, she was still human.
The movie gets pretty deep into what it means to love someone and the standards of beauty in high society. There are surprisingly a lot of twists and turns in this film with pretty complex villains.
Original: The Love Story
The love story of how Shrek and Fiona came to fall in love in the original Shrek is utterly beautiful and sends some really positive messages. Shrek meets Fiona and immediately thinks that she could never fall for an ogre like him.
He has been sent to rescue the princess from her tower and deliver her to Lord Farquaad so that he may be king. But along the journey, Fiona does end up falling for Shrek and he for her. In a twist of events, it also turns out that Fiona had been cursed as an ogre, a form that many find horrifying, but not Shrek.
Shrek 2: Puss In Boots
This film introduces a new character to the main inner circle of Shrek's life, a character to bounce off Donkey in the best ways. Puss in Boots makes all fans pretty much instantly fall in love with him.
With Antonio Banderas behind the adorable Hispanic kitty, Puss in Boots is a show stopper. He and Donkey have a hilarious back and forth relationship, and Puss's cat-like habits are utterly hilarious. Not to mention his adorable kitten face that he uses to always get his way.
Original: Onion Metaphor
The onion metaphor in the first Shrek movie is one of the greatest metaphor's to come out of any media. As Donkey and Shrek are traversing to Fiona's castle, Shrek explains to Donkey that he is like an onion. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers.
Not everyone likes onions, just like not everyone likes ogres. The scene is extra hilarious due to Donkey's naivety, but now fans also find themselves comparing things with layers to onions rather than cake.
Shrek 2: Comedy
It is important to remember that the Shrek franchise is first and foremost, a comedy series. And with that in mind, Shrek 2 easily takes the crown as the best film out of the four movies and one spin-off.
Every joke in Shrek 2 hits home. It is deep hilarious while managing to keep up with pop culture references. And though the film is now over 15 years old, it is still deeply hilarious and relevant. It hasn't aged poorly in the slightest and remains to be one of the funniest movies ever.
Original: The Memes
The original Shrek definitely birthed some of the greatest memes of all time. Shrek became an ogre lord, an icon that every member fell in love with, and a symbol that the ogre can get the girl. Shrek created some of the greatest memes, from its opening sequence to the hilarious lord Farquaad, and, of course, Shrek's swamp.
While all of the movies created memes based on them, the first is the king of them all. Stay out of his swamp.
Shrek 2: The Climactic Scene
The climactic scene in this film is what makes this movie not only the greatest Shrek movie but also one of the greatest movies of all time. As Shrek and company storm and race through the castle as a party is going on.
They lose friends to each battle, Mongo to the hot milk as he gets his friends in, and Puss in Boots staying behind to take on a room full of guards, all in order to get to Fiona before midnight. Fairy Godmother (voiced by Jennifer Saunders) sings "Holding Out For A Hero," as it's mixed with the Shrek theme music, in the most hyped and epic scenes, an iconic song that was made legendary by the movie.
Original: It's The Original
The original film is after all, well, the original. It is the movie that started it all and made everyone fall in love with the franchise. It was a comedic fairytale with a super interesting twist.
It wasn't the same handsome knight gets the princess, but rather a mean and grumpy ogre, getting a spunky princess with a dark side. It is what began the monumental film franchise and the birth of Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey.