Puss In Boots: The Last Wish Movie Review

Story: After losing eight of his nine lives and being pursued by the Wolf, Puss in Boots has grown afraid of dying. He embarks on an epic trip to the Dark Forest with Kitty Soft paws and Perrito in search of the mythical Last Wish to replenish his nine lives.

Review: A sequel should be better and improved, and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a perfect example that embodies it. The adventures of the charming and endearing cat is engaging stuff that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The film never slackens, and the action and humor keep you glued to your seat.

The makers of this adventure comedy deserve praise for successfully incorporating the themes of teamwork and altruism into a story that appeals to you. It discusses friends and their friendship and how they support one another when faced with challenges. The film makes no pretense that it has been made with the sole aim of providing wholesome entertainment, and it does so with an uncommon élan.

There isn't much to say about the plot of this animated adventure-comedy, but it’s the execution and the bunch of quirky characters, apart from the lead actors, that make all the difference. Puss in Boots, the film's endearing hero, contrasts horrifyingly with the Wolf (Death), the antagonist. The film's supporting cast, which includes Perrito, Goldilocks, and Big Jack Horner, serve as strong pillars, and the result is magnificent.

After suffering a freak accident, Puss in Boots' doctor advises him to keep a low profile and relax as he has used eight of his nine lives. The owner of several kittens, Mama Luna, is where he stays after that. He meets Perrito, a dog disguised as a cat, at Mama Luna's foster home and over time forms a special attachment with him.

He embarks on an epic journey with Kitty Soft paws and Perrito to obtain the fabled and mystical Last Wish in the Dark Forest in hopes of saving their lives. However, the journey is dangerous, as other competitors are also searching for the Last Wish.

In addition to Big Jack Horner and his army of Baker's Dozen, Goldilocks and her family are also interested in obtaining the Last Wish. Puss in Boots must fight back when he runs into the Wolf, the death, in the Dark Forest.

Although the movie is a little dark, kids won't have any trouble enjoying it. The Dark Forest's special effects are amazing and done to perfection, and in addition to producing stunning visuals, they also contribute to the sense of magic realism. The humorous scenarios will undoubtedly make you laugh out loud. At a deeper level, this film is successful in highlighting the shared fear of death that unites all people.

It is difficult to envision another actor than Antonio Banderas providing the voice of Puss in Boots. Banduras gives the protagonist's character depth by using just the appropriate amount of accent when providing the voice-over. The voice-overs of three other characters—Goldilocks (Florence Pugh), Perrito (Harvey Guillem), and Papa Bear (Ray Winston)—will have you spellbound.

The Spanish components in the film are like the cherry on top, and the transformation of fairy tale characters into various shades is another ace in the film. This film is unquestionably among the best in the Shrek universe. With its fast-paced humor, expansive setting, and skilled voice cast, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” comes across as a complete experience. This animated movie will appeal to all age groups and guarantee a good time.

“When the Shrek movies came out, CG animation was in an interesting space,” Last Wish production designer Nate Wragg recently told Animation Magazine. “Part of the spectacle of it was, ‘Wow it looks so real, even though it’s not. Look what the computer can do.’ We’ve now been able to swing the pendulum back into a space where animation originated, which was an artistic expression. Bambi’s backgrounds were water colored. It was beautiful, but it didn’t have to be photoreal.”

The Last Wish is the closest I’ve ever seen a movie get to emulating hand-painted concept art. On their way to the wishing star, Puss and company traverse prismatic backdrops — from bright pink and green forests to the rustic interiors of a cat-lady prison — that feel dabbed on by the artistic team.

Their encounters with beasties use color, line work, and kinetic camera moves to bring viewers deeper into the battles, and like The Way of Water, regularly shift frame rates to jolt the senses.

Puss, looking more oil-painted than ever, may be monologues about his legendary skills one second, animated “on the ones,” then find himself in a cacophonous skirmish with a towering troll the next, which the team animates “on the twos.” The sensation builds on the work of Spider-verse and drags the Shrek franchise, of all things, into the territory of high art.

The movie’s also hilarious? Having recently revisited Shrek 1 and Shrek 2, I can’t say I walked into The Last Wish with an open heart/funny bone — pop culture hi jinks and fairy-tale riffs were dusty then and petrified now. The Last Wish team, including credited screenwriters Paul Fisher and Tommy Swerdlow, reinvent the humor just like the animation.

While the movie offers a few nostalgic nods to Shrek, with brief appearances by Gingerbread Man and Pinocchio, and Jack Horner’s endless supply of fantasy literature collectibles gives Mulaney plenty of joke fuel, the movie’s comedy styling more closely resemble Groundhog Day. Band eras, it turns out, can do the Bill Murray mumbles-to-self one-liner thing.

The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring a mix of upbeat, original songs and classic tunes. The film's humor is clever and appeals to both children and adults, with jokes and references that will keep both groups engaged and entertained.

The film's animation is top-notch, bringing the world of fairy-tales to life with stunning detail and vivid colors. Overall, “Puss in Boots” is a well-crafted film that is a welcome addition to the Shrek franchise. Whether you're a fan of animated films, action-comedies, or just looking for a fun way to spend a few hours, “Puss in Boots” is definitely worth checking out.

A recurring bit finds Puss reliving his past deaths, and the versions of himself (Showman Puss, Swole Puss, Drunk Puss) that led to each demise. In this sequel, a somewhat obligatory poop joke is actually a litter box joke about Puss faking his own death and “burying” his body. Good!

The Last Wish might just be the best thing DreamWorks Animation, a studio that isn’t as known for pushing the limits of the medium, has produced in the last decade. 2010 gave us the emotional thrill ride of How to Train Your Dragon and 2011 had Kung Fu Panda 2, a martial arts odyssey bursting with imagination that asserted director Jennifer Yuh Nelson as a top-tier action director (even if Hollywood never made good on it).

Maybe How to Train Your Dragon 2 tops the original with bigger action — I’ll leave that to the hardcore fans. The Bad Guys was definitely a step in the right technological direction earlier this year. I will not be engaging with Boss Baby discourse.

In conclusion: “Puss in Boots” is a highly enjoyable animated film that successfully combines humor, action, and adventure. With its strong voice cast, well-crafted story, and stunning animation, this film is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. Whether you're a fan of the Shrek franchise or just looking for a fun, action-packed animated film, “Puss in Boots” is a must-see.