Turbo is the latest film from DreamWorks Animation - a studio that has become a giant in this genre in recent years. During that time, they have created some memorable characters.
To celebrate the release of Turbo this week, we take a look at some of the characters that have lit up the big screen and enchanted audiences over the years.
- Shrek - Shrek Franchise
Of all of DreamWorks Animations’ creations, there is none more famous than Shrek - a character that is as popular today as he was when we were first introduced to him back in 2001.
Hard to believe that the release of Shrek was over a decade ago, but this was the movie that really did put DreamWorks Animations on the map. Voice by Mike Myers, Shrek is an ogre who wants nothing more than to be left in peace in his swamp.
However, throughout the franchise we see this character fall in love, get married make friends, become a father and a hero.
Shrek Forever After concluded the Shrek franchise back in 2010 and has grossed over $3 billion at the global box office.
- Po - Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda is another successful franchise from DreamWorks Animations that has so far spanned two movies.
It was back in 2008 when Po - voiced by the fantastic Jack Black - hit the big screen for the first time. Po is a clumsy and overweight Panda who dreams of being a kung fu master. But appearances can be deceiving as Po is chose by Grand Master Oogway to become a Dragon Warrior.
Po goes from being a dreamer to a character who realises his dreams and becomes an unexpected hero. A second film followed in 2011 and together they have grossed over $1 billion. A third film is believed to be in the pipeline.
- Rocky Rhodes- Chicken Run
In 2000, Chicken Run hit the big screen and marked the first feature length film from Aardman Animations: it was also the first time that Aardman had teamed up with DreamWorks.
While the movie was packed full of great characters, Rocky Rhodes was one of the stand out stop motion animation creations - brought to life by the voice talents of Mel Gibson.
Rocky crash-lands into a farm’s chicken coop after fleeing the circus. Rocky makes the other chickens on the farm believe that they can escape their fate - they are being fattened up for slaughter - and live a free life.
Rocky is one of the most optimistic characters from this studio, as he believed that a better life was just around the corner.
- Donkey - Shrek Franchise
Every main character in a major franchise has to have a sidekick, and there is no greater animation sidekick than Donkey.
Donkey remains one of the most loved DreamWorks animation characters and has starred in all four of the Shrek movies over the years.
Voiced by Eddie Murphy, Donkey is a character who is just looking for friendship and a place to belong. And while the relationship between Donkey and Shrek gets off to a rocky start, they become the greatest of friends, and one of the best animation partnerships.
- Jack Frost - The Rise of the Guardians
Rise of the Guardians is one of my favourite DreamWorks films - it is still a mystery to my why it did not perform better at the box office.
The film is packed with fantastic characters including a new take on Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny, but Jack Frost is the main and standout character.
Jack Frost is a character that loves having fun and creating mischief, but no one can see him because no one believes in him. Voiced by Chris Pine, Jack is a character who just wants to know who he is and belong.
When he is chosen to become a guardian alongside Father Christmas, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and the Sandman, he gets the chance to uncover the truth that he seeks.
- Turbo - Turbo
Turbo is the latest character to be added to the DreamWorks family and is the main protagonist in this week’s Turbo.
Turbo is the story of a snail that is not afraid to dream big. After a freak accident miraculously gives him the power of super-speed, Turbo kicks his dreaming into overdrive and embarks on an extraordinary journey to achieve the seemingly impossible: racing against famed driver Guy Gagne.
With the help of Turbo's tricked-out streetwise snail crew, this ultimate underdog puts his heart and shell on the line to prove that no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.
Ryan Reynolds is the actor who will be bringing this character to life in a story that delivers a fantastic
central message.
Other standout characters include Eep from The Croods, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria from Madagascar.
Turbo is released 17th October.
Tagged in Kung Fu Panda Shrek