Dreamworks 2.0

Shrek Forever After vs. Toy Story 3. It’s Pixar vs. Dreamworks. The two big studios do battle again as each brings out their most trusted franchise to win over the recession hit audiences. Therefore raising the overall debate of who is best? For many years, critics and fans alike have admitted Pixar’s supremacy over all, however, as we enter summer 2010, their supremacy is not as strong as previously thought.

In 1995, the world was amazed by the achievement that was Toy Story and from there, Pixar dominated. However in 2001, with Shrek, a fast paced, fast talking, pop culture infested bonanza of noise and sound, Dreamworks had seemingly captured the alternate audience to Pixar. Shrek was phenomenally successful grossing over $450 million dollars worldwide almost doubling that for the sequel in 2004.

However, a running criticism of Dreamworks is that the films have no soul. A marketer’s wet dream but a film-goer’s worst nightmare. Madagascar, Shark Tale and especially Shrek the Third – all seemingly vapid star vehicles with poor plots and clichés abound. Therefore, having broken the Disney monopoly, Dreamworks was seemingly lost. Meanwhile, Pixar hired nobody’s and their films continued to grow in quality and it became a cliché to give a Pixar film a great review.

However, in 2008, Dreamworks began their comeback into the fight. Kung Fu Panda was outrageously fun, fuelled by big name talent and exciting action to boot. A clear breath of fresh air. Followed by “kooky” Monsters vs Aliens; another weird yet funny tale. Dreamworks had seemingly forgotten the green ogre and they were all the better for it. However, to say that it was a two horse race would be greatly unfair – as studios such as Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age), Studio Ghibli (Ponyo) and Sony Animation (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) have all produced great films all doing well at the box office. Thankfully, the studios realised they had to change. However, those who didn’t want to change could always rely on 3D.

Although many criticise the development of 3D in cinema, one field which has actually benefited is animation. 3D within an animated film fits perfectly when it is not the main narrative. How To Train Your Dragon was the film that brought Dreamworks into touching distance of Pixar. 90 minutes of fun packed entertainment with the 3D intensifying all the fights and flights. Indeed, on the other extreme, one must not forget the re-emergence of hand drawn Disney with the Princess and the Frog receiving good reviews, and hopes for Tangled (previously Rapunzel) are high upon its release in November 2010.

Therefore, who is the winner? Pixar continue to excel at everything, Dreamworks have finally re-discovered their true identity and the other small studios are growing in success and gathering pace on the main two. At the moment, Pixar still lead but the gap is closing. Therefore, all eyes look towards Summer 2010 to decide how big the gap actually is.