the trans characters were definitely there for a joke by shrek 3, but in 2 it feels different because of the overarching queer themes of the plot. alternatively, my standards for queer representation are probably through the floor, because shrek 2 was one of the few times (maybe the first?) i had been exposed to the idea of trans people existing as a transfem child
they're just there for jokes in shrek 2 as well imo, but i am on the record as a shrek hater
no, i hear you & that's definitely the way i responded to it as a kid