Dronkey

Shrek character
age=
name=Bananas, Cocoa, Peanut, Debbie & Parfait [cite web| first = | last = | title = "Shrek the Third": Meet the Characters| url=http://movies.aol.com/movie/shrek-the-third/21802/character-guide| accessdate = 2007-05-21] [cite web| first = | last = | title = "Shrek: Ogres and Dronkeys" Review| url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/841/841819p1.html| accessdate = 2008-03-03]


caption=
gender=3 males, 3 females
form=Dragon/Donkey hybrids
spouse=
family=Donkey (father), Dragon (mother)
voiced by=none
appearance="Shrek 2"
Shrek The Third|

Dronkeys are the hybrid offspring of Dragon and Donkey from the "Shrek" film series. Making their debut at the very end of "Shrek 2", the dronkeys feature more prominently in the subsequent films, albeit only as minor characters.

Personalities and appearances

Dronkeys were introduced in "Shrek 2" as little more than a stinger gag. Audience members missed having Dragon in the film, which was revealed to the filmmakers during test screenings. [cite video| people = Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury| title = Shrek 2|medium = DVD|publisher = DreamWorks Animation|date = 2004] Dragon reunites with Donkey in Far Far Away, only to have a surprise for him in tow - six young "dronkeys," who take to their father immediately. Donkey is delighted, and dubs the dronkeys "our little mutant babies."

The dronkeys have very little screen time in "Shrek the Third". They appear initially to give Shrek a wake up call, then to bid farewell to Donkey before his journey with Shrek. Near the film's climax, Donkey frees them from Prince Charming's capture. In addition, a few dronkeys make an appearance at the film's closing, when Shrek and Fiona are caring for their newborn triplets.

The dronkeys also serve as background action in the Christmas television special "Shrek the Halls".

The only dronkey to be given any semblance of a personality is Bananas, who has bright green irises which are noticeably wall-eyed, and frequently sneezes small tongues of flame. Donkey refers to Bananas as "my special boy!"

The sixth dronkey discrepancy

Some confusion exists as to the missing dronkey from "Shrek 2". When the dronkeys were first introduced in the film's post-credits scene, there were six total - including a unique individual which was red in color like her mother. She is nowhere to be seen in "Shrek the Third"; this is a continuity error on the part of the filmmakers.

Promotional material

For as little screen time that they have, the dronkeys are used extensively in "Shrek" promotional material; first appearing as a small scented figurine bundled with a Dragon action figure. [cite web| first = | last = | title = "Shrek 2": The Dragon| url=http://www.oafe.net/shocka/shrek2dra.php| accessdate = 2007-05-21 ] The red dronkey was part of a set of "Shrek the Third" McDonald's Happy Meal toys released in May 2007 as a tie-in for the film's theatrical bow. Along with that, dronkey plushies - sold singly or in pairs - were available at several commercial retailers in the United States. A 10" red dronkey plush was sold as a Toys R Us exclusive, and her packaging confirmed that she is female (see photo). Copies of the "Shrek The Third" DVD sold at Tesco stores in the United Kingdom also came with different plush toys labeled with their name.

Video games

In "Shrek Super Slam" the red dronkey is a playable character, but only if the player "unlocks" it by beating Tournament 7. All of the dronkeys made cameo appearances in the "Shrek the Third" video game, as well. In early 2008, a video game was released called "", in which a player has to care for baby ogres and dronkeys like they are babysitting, and all of the dronkeys with the exception of the red one are featured.

External links

* [http://www.shrek.com/ The official Shrek website]

References