by Nick Ferro, Contributing Writer
My experience with the “Shrek cinematic universe” isn’t one that DreamWorks would consider positive. I enjoyed Shrek and Shrek 2; however, they have waned for me over the years. I really despised the remaining movies in the series, as well as the original Puss in Boots movie. When they announced Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, my initial reaction was, “Why? Why beat this dead horse that has stopped producing quality work.” These movies have nothing of substance and are just an excuse for another movie studio to poorly poke fun at Disney in an incredibly stale way, while making as many fart jokes possible in under 90 minutes. But then I saw the trailer earlier this year, and I was instantly caught off guard with the new animation style. A cross somewhere between Into the Spider-Verse and The Mitchells vs the Machines, the new animation looked interesting and original, without losing the feel of the first Puss movie. So when my kids said for the 20th time, “I want to see that,” after every trip to the theater this year, I conceded.
The movie opens with a party in a town full of people who have gathered in a castle to celebrate Puss (Antonio Banderas) for being a famous adventurer. We are quickly thrown into a fight scene that showcases some excellent choreography, and the potential that this movie’s animation has for interesting camera moves and a stylized appearance. The ruckus from the party and fight wakes up a nearby giant, who then proceeds to attack the town. Puss in Boots swoops in and saves the day in a fight that feels reminiscent of the anime Attack on Titan (only way less horrifying). Puss defeats the giant, only to be accidentally killed by something random during the resulting celebration. He wakes up in the doctor’s office to the realization, presented in a very amusing montage, that he has now used up eight of his nine lives. After a run-in with a “Big Bad” Wolf bounty hunter (Wagner Moura) which he barely escapes, Puss reluctantly realizes that his adventuring days are over, and that he must retire to become a house cat. That is, until he learns of a map that leads to the fabled wishing star, which is prophesied to grant one wish to the first person to find its location. Puss sets out on his quest with his old flame Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and his new dog “friend” Perrito (Harvey Guillén). They are not alone on this quest, as they are being pursued by Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) and the Three Bears, as well as “Big” Jack Horner (John Mulaney), who all want the last wish for themselves.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a fantastic example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. Not only was I completely blown away by how beautiful and fun this animation style is throughout the movie, but the story and humor are both new and fresh for this franchise. There is a small amount of plot borrowing from the original Shrek, and there are moments when I couldn’t help but be reminded of this year’s Thor: Love and Thunder, with the whole, “seeking a place to be granted wish” element. However, these moments are completely overshadowed by the amount of fun I was having watching the movie. We were in a relatively empty theater, as it was a matinee on a Thursday, but between me, my three kids, and one other family of four, me and my kids were easily the loudest laughers in the room; we had a blast.
This movie also gets points for not being your typical “non-Disney” animated film. It doesn’t talk down to the kids in the audience, and it isn’t infuriating for the adults who were forced to be there. They go back to their roots where the jokes are funny for the children, and there are additional layers for the parents. Additionally, the story isn’t so paint-by-numbers that you know how it will end. Of course, you can assume how the final showdown will start, but with all the different characters that we follow throughout, you can’t be sure who will finally end up with the sought-after titular “last wish.”
The voice cast is also top notch! Banderas and Hayek return, and their vocal chemistry is just as excellent as their on-screen chemistry. The duo not only bring their characters to life, but also add a level of emotion to their performances that help push the audience further into caring for them as characters. Guillén takes on the role of comic relief for our heroes with a character that could have been the newest “annoying character of all time,” but is instead charming to the point of hilarity. Perrito has such a tragic backstory, yet it is presented as one of the funniest jokes of the movie.
Pugh joins that cast as Goldilocks, and surprise, surprise, she’s awesome. She gets to play once again opposite her Black Widow co-star Ray Winstone, who voices Papa Bear as well as Olivia Colman as Mama Bear. Samson Kayo from this year’s HBO hit, Our Flag Means Death, voices Baby Bear. Together, this quartet of characters, although a little less developed than I would have liked, provides a key element to the story that helps not only drive the plot, but adds an additional level of emotion. The Three Bears are very funny together as a would-be crime family, and the key to them being more than just generic bad guy henchman is their love for each other as a family unit and their camaraderie. I could easily watch a whole show or movie in which Goldilocks and the Three Bears are the sole characters.
Moura’s Big Bad Wolf is an ancillary, lingering threat that hovers over Puss the entire movie, yet he still plays a key role in the story’s through line. I really thought his voice work for the character adds the appropriate level of menace needed for the role. However, parents beware his character was a bit scary at times. I don’t think that it ever crossed a line, but if you have really little ones, there may be some moments they might want to look away.
Last but not least, we have my favorite voice performance of the movie, and that is Mulaney as Jack Horner. What could have been the most generic villain, akin to Rumpelstiltskin from Shrek 4, Mulaney adds so much life and dry humor to the character. Mulaney’s goofy and excellent delivery on some lines are just simply the funniest parts of the whole movie, and I almost would be surprised if much of his role was ad-libbed, as there was a ton of him own particular brand of comedy weaved throughout the film.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish surprised me more than any other movie this year, and has instantly garnered not only my praise, but that of my kids; we were all abuzz on the ride home discussing our favorite parts. However, the true sign that this movie resonated with us is that even a few days later, they are still talking about their favorite parts or referencing some of the jokes. My four-year-old son has started going around trying to make the “adorable” face that Perrito tries to do throughout the movie, and it’s hilarious. If you were on the fence about Puss in Boots after many years of lackluster Shrek entries, The Last Wish is the breath of fresh air that this franchise needed. I highly recommend checking it out, especially if you have some kiddos and need something fun to do this holiday season.
Score: 8/10
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is currently playing in theaters
You can follow Nick Ferro on Twitter and Letterboxd