When I heard that DreamWorks was making a new movie about Puss in Boots, the swashbuckling feline from the Shrek franchise, I was skeptical to say the least. I remembered the first movie being mediocre at best, and I thought the sequel would be a cheap follow-up.
I am pleased to say that I was entirely wrong, and I walked out of the movie theater absolutely loving it. Without giving too much away, I’ll talk about why I enjoyed it so much and why you should give it a chance if you haven’t checked it out yet.
As a quick plot synopsis: Puss in Boots is on his last of his nine lives, and he seeks a “Wishing Star” to grant him nine more lives so he can continue his dangerous adventures. He isn’t the only one after a wish, though. So, it becomes a race against time to get to the star before anyone else does.
There’s so much that makes this movie great. Firstly, the characters. While the iconic Puss in Boots steals the show, there’s a fantastic cast of characters that are all memorable and enjoyable. Because of the number of characters and the fast-paced writing, the humor is quick witted. From a lovable talking puppy to a family of fairytale criminals, these characters all work well off of each other. Because you care about the characters and they feel well-rounded, the humor and emotional beats work equally as well. And without giving too much away, the villain of this movie is one of the scariest characters DreamWorks Animation has ever created. I was on the edge of my seat anytime he slinked on screen, and he’s certainly a formidable force for Puss in Boots to take on.
Secondly, the animation. The art direction in this movie is phenomenal. A page is definitely taken out of Into the Spiderverse, in the best way possible. The movie is 3D animated, but there is a mix of 2D elements to make certain scenes “pop.” In addition, stylized characters designs make the movie really unique. Additionally, the background style makes the whole movie look like a classical painting. The painting-like effects make the world really gorgeous to look at, and all of the colors are vibrant and immersive.
Lastly, the message. Once again, I won’t get into too many spoilers. But in the movie, characters have to discover what the most important parts of life are, outside of getting a wish. With character development, found families, and confronting the past, this movie will hopefully give you a new appreciation for the life you’re living now.
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is still in theaters, and now streaming on Amazon Prime.