DreamWorks Animation just announced a huge slate of upcoming projects, and true to company form, it’s littered with sequels. Among them, I’d have to say the Kung Fu Panda follow-up sounds the best. First, it has a truly awesome subtitle: The Kaboom of Doom. Second, the original was the first DreamWorks film in ages to truly feel fresh. Not only was it visually stunning, but it had rousing action scenes, a heartwarming and only slightly saccharine message and, best of all, a truly memorable character: Po, the pudgy Panda perfectly matched with the voice of Jack Black. And oh yeah, it was actually pretty darn funny. Sample quote: "It is said that his enemies would go blind from over-exposure to pure awesomeness!" So, bring it on, DreamWorks.
I also don’t mind a third Madagascar (the first two are light and breezy and completely harmless), but a fourth Shrek? And a Puss in Boots spinoff, to boot? (Zing?) The green ogre has overstayed his welcome — by far. What was once lively and original has become a pale mockery of itself. I honestly could not tell you the plot of the third Shrek, minus some vague recollections of a punkish prat character voiced by Justin Timberlake.
Lest you say the company keeps repeating itself, DreamWorks did announce some new projects as well, the most promising of which is called Guardians and involves Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy banding together to save the world. Think of it as The Incredibles, only with Holiday mascots. It sounds fun.
So, PopWatchers, which sequel are you most excited about? What franchise does DreamWorks need to put the kibosh on? And with Pixar’s gloriously-reviewed Up opening tomorrow, all of these projects sound totally uninspired in comparison, no?
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I agree with Jeremy on Panda and Madagascar. The third Shrek was definitely sub-par, but hopefully they’ll make the fourth one great. Not too sure about Puss in Boots. He’s a good sidekick, but a whole movie about him seems unnecessary.
None of the above?
-TL
http://grittywriter.wordpress.com/
I’m down for a third Madagascar. They still need to find their way back to New York.
The only good Shrek was the first one, with their digs and mockery of Disney (although I love Disney), especially the parody of ‘its a small world’… the other two films were lacking that subtle (some not so subtle) trashing which made the first so hilarious.
I’d love to see a sequel to Panda. I thought they created some great supporting characters and gave them very little to do — so bring more more Panda, but let’s see more of his supporting cast, too
Actually, the holiday super heroes sounds a lot more fun than the sequels listed. But I’m up for Shrek anytime.
“Welcome to Dulac!”
I read somewhere that they had five (5) Shrek stories to tell, so we’ll see the big green ogre at least once more after this next installment.
As for Panda – the more Jack Black, the better!!
Shrek.
The title for the Kung Fu Panda sequel made me laugh out loud, so that’s a keeper. The premise for Guardians sounds like fun, and I’m always up for more Madagascar. However, they didn’t mention the one that seems the most interesting, which is Oobermind, with Robert Downey Jr. as a supervillain who gets depressed after he defeats his nemesis. That sounds really original and fresh. The rest of the line-up left me cold.
I agree about Panda – the supporting characters were almost cameos in the first movie – give them more to do – and yes, they found the perfect vehicle for Jack Black as Po. LOVE PUSS IN BOOTS — best part of 2 and 3, so hopefully Shrek Goes Forth will be better than the 3rd.
Yeah…none of them compare to Up. Or pretty much any Pixar movie.
oh i’m bored and happy .