Posted by
Huw, 05 Aug 2026 15:30
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Collectable Minifigures have encompassed many different licenced properties during the last fifteen years, but DreamWorks characters have remained conspicuously absent until now.
That changes with 71053 Shrek Collectable Minifigures, which follows the release of 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots a couple of months ago, and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the original film with more than twelve characters from the first three films.
The first thing that becomes obvious when looking at them is that many have eschewed the usual minifigure head in favour of a specialised mould, some of which also incorporate the character's headgear. This is nothing new, of course. The Simpsons, Muppets and Disney series, for example, also did the same. Nevertheless, there are probably some who would have preferred a more traditional approach, although I am not among them.
Shrek
The large head captures the titular character's unmistakable silhouette fairly successfully, although there's something a bit uncanny about it which I can't quite pinpoint.
He's attired in his familiar cream-coloured tunic, brown waistcoat and tights with a chequer pattern on them.
He's carrying a book of fairy tales and another tile with a dragon print.
Fiona
Fiona's dressed in the dark green medieval gown in which she is often depicted. Its fine printing looks lovely but, like Shrek, her head does not quite hit the mark. Maybe it's simply because it's so much bigger than a regular head and has a nose!
She has no accessories because she's accompanied in the box by Donkey.
Donkey
It's perhaps surprising that such a major character is not packaged separately, but I guess he doesn't qualify as a 'minifigure' as such. So, instead, he comes with Fiona.
The head and body are separate pieces, joined with a standard 3.18mm bar connection, which thus allows it to be rotated. The head is dual-moulded grey and black; the white details are printed.
Puss in Boots
A minifigure representation of Puss in Boots also appears in 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots, but this one is completely different. It has short legs, and different torso and face prints.
He's carrying a sack and I did initially think it would have been more appropriate for him to be armed with a rapier, but the one in the other set is doing so.
Three Blind Mice
The three mice come as accessories with Puss in Boots, Pinocchio and the Big Bad Wolf, so you'll need to acquire all three figures to get a full set.
They are identical, though, leaning on sticks and with tails curled up their backs, which is perhaps a shame.
Thelonious
Rather than write a lot of largely superfluous descriptions of the remaining characters, I'll just let the pictures do the talking...
Gingy
Dragon
Merlin
Pinocchio
Big Bad Wolf
Lord Faarquaad
Fairy Godmother
Prince Charming
Verdict
Shrek is one of the most beloved animated films of all time, and certainly one of my favourites. I think this series largely does the characters justice, although there is something a bit uncanny about Shrek and Fiona that's hard to pinpoint. The highlight for me is Puss in Boots, who looks so cute in minifigure form!
Given the dragon's size in the film, it's a bit odd that it's been included here as a minifigure, although it'll most likely be a popular one given how generic it is. Perhaps a human Fiona would have been a better choice, though.
Nevertheless, this is, in my opinion, one of the best licenced minifigure series, and I'm sure it will be very popular.
