Tag: dreamworks

“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is the rest of your story. Who you choose to be.”

From: Kung-Fu Panda 2

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Soothsayer

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the animated film, Kung-Fu Panda 2. It is the sequel to the 2008 DreamWorks animated film and has Po face off against a dictator hellbent on taking over the country with his discovery of gunpowder.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Po (voiced once again by Jack Black) is badly hurt and is rescued by the soothsayer (voiced by Michelle Yeoh). Po starts to recall his past and how his parents gave up their lives to save him when he was very young. Po is initially distraught by this memory but the soothsayer delivers the quote. This makes him realize that, because of his parents’ sacrifice, he was able to live on and make new friends and live a happy and fruitful life.

Geek wisdom: While we may not have any control of our initial circumstances, we do have control of what we do with the rest of our lives. We have the power to change a bad situation as long as we put the necessary effort into overcoming it.

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“Ogres are like onions.”

From: Shrek

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Shrek

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Dreamworks animated film Shrek, which was released in 2001. The film focuses on a ogre named Shrek who makes a deal with a lord. If Shrek succeeds in rescuing a princess, the lord will evict all of the fairytale creatures who have started living in the ogre’s swampland.

The quote comes near the start of the film. Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) head off to where the princess is. Donkey asks Shrek as to why he didn’t just threaten the lord into giving him what he wants. After the ogre describes other horrible deeds stereotypically done by his kind, Shrek tells Donkey there’s more to ogres and delivers the quote.

UPDATE: Thanks to DJ Miller for correcting who said the quote as I mistakenly posted the wrong character before.

UPDATE 2: Thanks to Isaac Wurmbrand for correcting me regarding the correct film.

Geek wisdom: People are like ogres in this sense. While it’s easy to judge a person by a first impression, always remember there’s going to be something much deeper in their personalities that may not be apparent on the outset.

“There’s a benefit to losing. You get to learn from your mistakes.”

From: Megamind

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Megamind

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2010 animated film by Dreamworks, Megamind. The film has the titular character (voiced by Will Ferrell) as a supervillain who managed to finally defeat his archenemy, Metro Man. However, realizing he is nothing without someone to challenge him, he attempts to create a new hero so he can continue fighting someone.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Megamind battles the hero he created, Titan (voiced by Jonah Hill) as the latter has become a supervillain himself. Titan manages to trounce Megamind, calling him a loser for not being able to win his battles against Metro Man in the past. This is when Megamind delivers the quote in rebuttal.

Geek wisdom: We can look at our failures as mistakes. However, the better way to look at them is to think of them as ways to realize our mistakes and actually be better from them.