Shrek 2 (score)

Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score)
Film score by
Harry Gregson-Williams
ReleasedDecember 7, 2004
Genres
Length40:25
LabelVarèse Sarabande
Harry Gregson-Williams chronology
Shrek: The Motion Picture Score
(2001)		 Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score)
(2004)		 Shrek the Third: The Motion Picture Score
(2007)

Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score) is the film score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams to the 2004 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek 2 which is the second instalment in the Shrek franchise and a sequel to Shrek (2001). The score album was released on December 7, 2004, under the Varèse Sarabande label and received a nomination for Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production.

Background

Shrek composer Harry Gregson-Williams returned to score the sequel, without the involvement of co-composer John Powell as both of them had amicably parted ways to refrain from being pigeonholed and focus more on individual projects. Gregson-Williams added that the score is what binds the film together, which helps in narrating the story. Gregson-Williams borrowed most of the main themes from the first film while also scoring newer themes for specific sequences and new characters.

Reception

Peter Simons of Movie Music UK wrote: "It doesn't really come as surprise that Harry Gregson-Williams is able to produce a stunning score for Shrek without the aid of the original co-composer John Powell, as Gregson-Williams has already proven to be an excellent composer on his own [...] While there was little actually wrong with the original Shrek score, it somehow didn't quite satisfy me – perhaps the cues were a bit too short and too varied to make for a coherent album. This sequel seems a little more focused and also relies on the orchestra a bit more than its predecessor, making it a more rewarding album to listen to overall." Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks called "Shrek 2 is an improvement over its predecessor".

James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote "Choirs, Renaissance-style marches, and big-band numbers co-exist with nary an awkward segue, resulting in a finished product that's undeniably superficial, but as mischievous and likeable as the ogre himself". Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles wrote "[Shrek 2] lacks the highlights of the first score, yet giving us a much smoother listen in the process". Ain't It Cool News-based critic wrote "The score by Harry-Gregson Williams was top notch".

Track listing

All tracks are written by Harry Gregson-Williams.

No.TitleLength
1."Prince Charming"2:05
2."Leaving Home"1:12
3."Far Far Away"1:44
4."Family Dinner"2:10
5."Fiona's Room"1:01
6."We Need to Talk"1:32
7."The Poison Apple"1:20
8."The Factory"1:40
9."By the Ol' Oak"2:02
10."Annoying Talking Animal"2:56
11."The Potion Room"3:08
12."Deep Fried"2:02
13."Not Meant to Be"2:49
14."The Ball"1:09
15."The Prince of Her Dreams"2:16
16."Tonight on "Knights""0:48
17."Magic Tea"1:50
18."The Mission"1:29
19."Muffin Man"1:10
20."Get the Wand"2:08
21."All Is Revealed"3:16
22."Dragon!!"0:38
Total length:40:25

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes:

Orchestra
Instrument
Choir

Accolades

Award Category Name Result Ref.
Annie Awards Music in an Animated Feature Production Harry Gregson-Williams Nominated
BMI Film & TV Awards BMI Film Music Award Harry Gregson-Williams Won
International Film Music Critics Association Best Original Score for a Comedy Film Harry Gregson-Williams Nominated
World Soundtrack Awards Soundtrack Composer of the Year Harry Gregson-Williams Nominated
Best Original Soundtrack of the Year Harry Gregson-Williams Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Mirisola, John. "Harry Gregson-Williams on Making and Remaking the Shrek Theme". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ Docter-Loeb, Hannah (May 30, 2024). "20 Years Later, Mike Myers Reveals How 'Shrek 2' Pulled Off the Impossible". Inverse. Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  3. ↑ Ryder, Caroline (April 23, 2009). "Filmmakers praise Gregson-Williams". Variety. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ Simons, Peter (May 22, 2004). "SHREK 2 – Harry Gregson-Williams". MOVIE MUSIC UK. Archived from the original on July 22, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ Clemmensen, Christian (January 7, 2005). "Shrek 2 (Harry Gregson-Williams)". Filmtracks. Archived from the original on January 17, 2005. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  6. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Review: Shrek 2 (Original Motion Pictute Soundtrack)". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  7. ↑ Glorieux, Thomas. "Harry Gregson-Williams: Shrek 2 - maintitles.net". Maintitles.net. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  8. ↑ staff (May 3, 2004). "Another super-positive SHREK 2 review!!!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  9. ↑ Harry Gregson-Williams. Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score) (Media notes). Varèse Sarabande.
  10. ↑ "32nd Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients". Annie Awards. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  11. ↑ Baisley, Sarah (January 30, 2005). "The Incredibles & Brad Bird Soar at Annie Awards". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  12. ↑ "2005 BMI Film/TV Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. May 18, 2005. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ IFMCA (2005). "2004 IFMCA Awards". IFMCA. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  14. ↑ Bennett, Ray (2004). "'Mountain' Score Tops At World Soundtrack Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2024.