Movie Review: ‘Puss In Boots: The Last Wish’ Blu-ray

Review by James Lindorf

In the past 21 years, the Shrek universe has touched screens big and small, the stage, and multiple video game platforms on its way to being valued at nearly 6 billion dollars. The latest entry in the franchise “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is beautifully animated, surprisingly emotional and now playing in theaters everywhere.

It has been more than a decade since the DreamWorks Animation team took us on an adventure in the Shrek universe. Creating a spinoff from a highly successful franchise can lead to many lofty expectations that often go unfulfilled. That was not the case with 2011’s “Puss in Boots.” The big-eyed, leche-loving, swashbuckling feline was a hit with critics and fans, earning an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and bringing in $555 million at the worldwide box office. After such a long break, you have to ask whether they are returning because they have a story worth sharing or if they are seeing if people will still break out their wallets for this franchise.

The world of Shrek has always given new life to fairy tales and nursery rhymes, but this time, the story centers around the centuries-old idiom that cats have nine lives. When legendary outlaw Puss in Boots learns that his disregard for safety has cost him eight of his nine lives, he has two choices; retire, or go on his most fantastic adventure ever. Hollywood legend Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of Puss in Boots as he embarks on an epic journey into the Black Forest to find the mythical Wishing Star and restore his lost lives. With only one life left and a slew of enemies in his way, Puss won’t be able to complete the mission alone. He is joined by Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek Pinault), his former partner and occasional nemesis, and Perrito (Harvey Guillén), a chaotic but endlessly loyal and cheerful pup.

Also out to get the final wish for themselves are Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) and the Three Bears Crime Family (Ray Winstone, Olivia Coleman, and Samson Kayo), as well as the magic-obsessed pie magnate Jack Horner (John Mulaney). The biggest threat isn’t the ones looking to steal the last wish; it is the one who wishes to steal Puss’ final life. In a reinvention of the character or perhaps just an acknowledgment that more than one wolf exists, Wagner Moura (Narcos) plays the Big Bad Wolf as a devilish bounty hunter. A character unlike any I can recall in the Shrek universe, one that may be a bit too intense for some of the youngest viewers.

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Is a nearly perfect four-quadrant movie. There is endless humor for the kids and the occasional reference that should be above their heads. There are jokes about dingleberries, plenty of physical comedy, and some basic satire of classicism and growing old or lonely. More importantly, there is real emotion, and character growth as Puss and others question their motives and place in the world. The central theme is threefold. There are elements of self-identity, the success of the one vs. the greater good, and what it takes to be family. Each theme has a time where it can shine, and all have a satisfying conclusion thanks to solid writing from Paul Fisher and Tommy Swerdlow. Their biggest fault is that the story feels like a new skin or a new coat of paint on stories we have seen before. Nothing in the screenplay will surprise the adults in the theater, but everything is very well done.

All that emotion and story is wrapped in a beautifully animated film combining two distinct styles. The first style used during the dramatic and comedic scenes is the typical Shrek 3d style of animation with bright colors, big eyes, and all that. The art style during the action scenes is dramatically different. It takes influence from some animation icons like “Samurai Jack,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” and “Akira.” At first, the change is a bit jarring, but you are quickly swept up in the fun and creatively choreographed fights.

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is the sixth film chronologically to be released in the Shrek universe, but quality-wise, it falls just behind the original. “Shrek” as a film was a groundbreaking classic that will continue entertaining generations of families as people keep showing it to their kids. Puss didn’t make his first appearance until the second Shrek film, so watching may be required to understand the character better. But if you are only going to watch two movies, the original and Last Wish are the two most worthy of your time and money. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” scores an impressive 4.5 out of 5.