"Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" - Film Review
“This story is a fairytale…” reads the opening title card of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The spectacular adventurer, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), has returned to the silver screen. His life is as glamorous as one would expect for a swashbuckling feline, but all of that comes crashing down when a doctor (Anthony Mendez) tells Puss that he’s burned through eight of his nine lives. Puss hears of the famed Last Wish, a special fallen star that can grant one wish. Hot on his trail are other famed fairytale-characters-turned-villains: Goldilocks (Florence Pugh), her three bears (Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, & Samson Kayo), and Jack Horner (John Mulaney). Luckily, Puss won’t have to go on this journey alone. Accompanying him are an old friend, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), and a new one, Perro (Harvey Guillén).
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The animation magically mixes the 3D style DreamWorks is known for with stunning elements of paint-like brushstrokes. By no means does this make Puss seem lifelike, but the strokes add warmth to the animation. The characters aren’t sleek, smooth, or perfect. There’s a rustic quality to the illustrations that proves Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is here to tell a different story. Something to separate itself from the rest of the DreamWorks portfolio and create a new style all its own. Like Puss’ own self-realization, the film and its titular character come into their own and stand far from the shadows of their origin.
Of course, the film is geared toward children and there’s a heartfelt message woven throughout the journey of Puss, Kitty, and Perro. The trials and tribulations of their travels are reminders of what’s important in life. It’s about friends, family, and love, and always has been. There are some throwback jokes to Puss’ signature pouty look and physical comedy that will surely delight the kids.
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Somewhat surprisingly, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish also has its creepy moments. Throughout the entire journey to the Last Wish, Puss is stalked by The Big Bad Wolf, aka Death, (Wagner Moura). The wolf is a looming force with bright red eyes who will not stop until he catches up to Puss. The audience’s hair will stand on end just like Puss’ in the scene that introduces The Big Bad Wolf. It’s the first time in the Shrek Cinematic Universe that this character is afforded the darkness of its fairytale origins.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the last-minute surprise of the year. The film has all the charm the audience has come to expect from the Shrek standout, but with a blindsiding amount of heart and humor.
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