this argument doesnโt hold up when disney changed their aesthetic completely since the OG shrek came out. disney used to be 2D, but since the 2010s they became entirely 3D and now really loves hyperrealism and live action remakes. shrek feeling a little more cartoony isnโt bad.
I feel like the point of Shrek was that it was SUPPOSED to look a bit realistic and dirty, to better play into the whole Disney parody thing. Now, not only are the designs exactly like an actual Disney movie, but Donkey is doing stock cartoony Disney character acting as well.