Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Shrek 2 arrived in 2004 from DreamWorks Animation, a sequel to the studio's 2001 breakthrough that had upended the fairy tale formula. Building on that success, this installment became one of the highest-grossing animated films of its era, bringing Shrek, Fiona, and their circle of misfit friends into a broader world of in-laws, kingdoms, and fresh comic invention. It cemented the franchise as a cultural mainstay and proved the original was no fluke, expanding the property's reach across merchandising, music, and a devoted fan base that has only grown with time.
This cell carries the name Fiona and Shrek, pairing the film's central couple in a single frame of memorabilia. Shrek himself remains the franchise's most recognizable figure, the gruff ogre whose journey from outcast to husband anchors the entire series. A cell built around this pairing speaks to the romantic core of the story, the bond that gives the comedy its heart. For collectors, pieces tied to the two leads together hold particular appeal, representing the emotional throughline that carried Shrek from novelty to lasting favorite.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Shrek 2 (2004).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced; punching appears clean with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with an analog stereo print; Dolby Digital pixel blocks appear present in the inter-perforation gaps on the same edge, and a narrow DTS timecode stripe is visible as a dotted line along the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote any text or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly warm; dye image shows full colour saturation with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks or significant scratches are visible; the surface appears consistent with a lightly projected print.
Picture
Positive colour image; the three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, and the animated characters visible are consistent with Shrek 2 (2004).
Era check
The combination of analog variable-area optical track, Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, and DTS timecode stripe is consistent with a theatrical release print from the early-to-mid 2000s, matching the 2004 release date on record.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063117
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
