Review | Beyond purr-fect animation, storytelling in 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” serving as the sequel to the 2011 film “Puss in Boots” and the latest from the Shrek fairytale universe, was released in December 2022 and continues to gain immense praise and even an Oscar nomination. Photo collage by SIMRAH AHMAD, staff photographer
In any Dreamworks film, an audience member will expect a story that splices in an appropriate amount of slapstick humor for children, but also the occasional sarcastic and sly one-liners only the adults can catch onto.
Growing up, "Shrek" was one of my family's favorite films, not simply because it kept my toddler-self entertained, but also because my parents couldn't stop laughing at the remarks of fairytale creatures not having dental insurance and someone asking a horse "Why the long face?"
I would anticipate nothing less from the latest Dreamworks film, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," and it gave me even more than what I wanted. My eyes were glued to the screen as the clever writing was meshed with the mesmerizing animation — almost like the best children's book came to life.
The film, released in December 2022, focuses on fearless hero Puss in Boots (voiced once again by Antonio Banderas), who was introduced back in 2004 in "Shrek 2" as the charming, sword-fighting, orange tabby cat. But instead of living life on the edge, Puss now becomes fearful as he approaches his last of nine lives.
In order to regain more lives and escape the villainous Big Bad Wolf (voiced by Wagner Moura), Puss seeks out the illustrious Wishing Star. The film also includes voice performances from Salma Hayek, Olivia Coleman, Florence Pugh and John Mulaney.
While the character of Puss in Boots is familiar to most, with his iconic feathered cap and wee little boots, the animation style differs drastically compared to other Dreamworks films. With bright colors and a fairytale painting look, director Joel Crawford told Variety that they wanted the film to have this "idea of being dropped into a fairytale" where you can "see the brushstrokes and it looks as if you are in a moving painting."
The use of color in the film relates directly to the storyline in beautiful, eye-catching ways — anything from rainbow confetti spewing out from unicorn horns to the deepest reds signifying Puss' life coming to a near end.
It wouldn't be a Dreamworks film without the shockingly-adult humor. With lines like "Holy F-frijoles," Puss being described as a geriatric bag of bones and a bleep sound to signify cursing is why Dreamworks again and again makes films perfect for the whole family — with kids adoring the funny talking cat and adults grinning ear-to-ear wondering if the kids understood what was just said.
A surprising aspect of the film is Puss' newly discovered vulnerability. In order to emphasize the dark idea of fearing death, Puss experiences several panic attacks — with his heart racing and fight-or-flight instincts taking charge. With mental health and anxiety becoming more prominently depicted in the media, this film follows suit in order for children to gain awareness and help others who experience similar behaviors. This film presented a new layer for audiences to see of this macho character.
A highlight of the film is the introduction of the new character, Perrito. While he begins as a talking orphan dog with no name, Perrito captures the heart of Puss in Boots and accompanies him on his mission toward the Wishing Star. With a happy-go-lucky mindset and a tattered old sock for a sweater, Perrito serves as an inspiration for what a true friend is and how one should live their life. Plus, he enjoys a good sandwich just like everyone else.
Praise surrounding the film continues to grow, opening up to a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and even scoring an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. Fans on the movie-reviewing app Letterboxd gave the film an average rating of 4.3 out of five stars and is ranked the 103rd best film of all time according to the app, with users stating it was a "a wonderful addition to the scu (shrek cinematic universe)" and "Puss really did boots the house down."
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I cherished this film and had wished that something like this had come out during my childhood. The emphasis on friendship, trust and living a life to the fullest allowed me to resonate with the characters — even though they have whiskers and I don't. The emotional rollercoaster of life is something that's not featured in a typical animated film — but this is the exception.
The fact that we can see Puss one moment fighting valiantly and the next we see him using a litter box just like any other cat gives it relatability and adventure all together in 100 minutes. Pour out some shots of milk and give a toast to Puss in Boots, because this is a film worth the watch.
"Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" is currently showing in theaters and is available to rent on Apple TV.
