‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ REVIEW: Absolutely worth the wait
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ REVIEW: Absolutely worth the wait
Puss in Boots makes a return to the big screen after 11 years!
Your favorite fearless hero is back just in time for Christmas! After The Bad Guys comes another family movie from DreamWorks which brings us to the land of Far Far Away again, 4 years after the spin-off series, The Adventures of Puss in Boots concluded. But in the world of cinema, it’s been 11 years since our leche-loving Puss in Boots graced the big screen in the first installment of the franchise. And the waiting was all worth it.
Antonio Banderas revisits this fear-defying feline character of his as well as Salma Hayek who reprised her role as Kitty Softpaws. Set after the events of the first film, we see Puss in Boots’ journey continue as he gets down to his last life. Because of this, he sets to find the legendary Last Wish that will enable him to restore his eight lives back and brave the sting of death once more.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish introduces new characters that give a fresh flavor to the film. Perrito, voiced by Harvey Guillén, is the scene-stealer with his adorable personality and naivete that will bring awkward laughs to the audience as he tells his devastating life story with a smile. Of course, one will not miss the voices of Florence Pugh and Olivia Colman as Goldilocks and Mama Bear respectively. John Mulaney also voices one of the titular cat’s opponents, Jack Horner, while Wagner Moura brings the Big Bad Wolf to life.
Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek reprise their roles as Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws respectively. Harvey Guillén completes the adorable trio as Perrito the dog.
The sequel is definitely worth the wait. A story about trust and company, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish highlights chosen families, and although blood is thicker than water, the movie is a testament to the beauty of friendship that can stand the test of time. It can also be a PSA for children to take care of their precious lives, especially since, unlike Puss, we mere mortals only got one.
And speaking of one life, the movie pokes fun at this by having a scared Puss domesticated and forced to be in his “retirement era.” Our fearless hero was rendered defeated by his own fear of death always lingering. A minuscule downside to the film is that it falls victim to the, “Maybe The Real Treasure Was the Friends We Made Along the Way” trope, but it’s a kids movie so it gets a pass!
The film’s painterly style design is its most remarkable aspect, where every scene will have one in awe of how preciously detailed the frames are. DreamWorks did this with The Bad Guys as well, and if they continue to go in this “Spiderverse” direction in their animation, it will be a never-ending feast for the eyes, especially for the young ones!
All in all, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a must-watch for this year, and it’s the perfect movie to see in the theatres with your family this holiday season! It has the right amount of heart and soul to it and you also can’t escape its humor. It’s for the kids who grew up with Shrek and his friends as well as for the new generation that also gets the privilege of befriending this swashbuckling kitty.
Catch a screening of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in theaters nationwide on December 7, 2022.
