Revisiting these screencaps now, a decade later, the textures hold up. The water rendering, the feathers on Shen’s plumage, the atmospheric fog—it hasn't aged a day. 2011 wasn't just a good year for animation; it was the year the medium realized it could be just as serious, and just as cinematic, as anything in live-action.
While the first film focused on the novelty of 3D, the sequel used lighting to evoke emotion. The frames featuring Lord Shen’s firework-lit harbor are some of the most vibrant palettes in DreamWorks' history. A Revolution on the Small Screen animation screencaps 2011