LIGHTS… CAMERA… ACTION! 

Today I’m excited to present a short review of the new film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Don’t worry- there won’t be any major spoilers here. Coming in a whopping 11 years after the first film, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish makes no apology for taking its time to release… because it has no reason to!  

 This film was… shocking. I say that in the nicest way possible because simply put, it blew my mind. Was I expecting a fantastic film? To be quite honest, given the commercials that have aired on television and trailers in theatres since January 2022… not at all. The film shocked me though – the trailers alone hadn’t done the movie justice. It’s something you must see to believe. 

The story is simple at first glance: Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) returns after his previous adventure in 2011 and is now a legend throughout the land. After all of his adventures he finds out he is down to his final life and sets out to find a magical wishing star that could give him his nine lives back. Puss in Boots isn’t alone in wanting this magical wishing star, though – both enemies and a former ally are racing to obtain this mystical wish. The story will twist and turn and, more times than not, tug on your heartstrings.  

The filmmakers were able to create an immersive story that makes the viewer want to root for almost every character, even the “bad” ones. There is an incredible amount of action and suspense for a PG-Rated film, between intensive and heart-pounding battles as well as some frightening and at times disturbing imagery. Viewers who are not fans of horror movies take note: there are a few mild Goosebumps level jump scares 

I wouldn’t be able to talk about this movie without mentioning the animation. In the best way possible, the scenery and characters make you feel like you are inside of a fairy tale. At times, you may see an old cabin from a familiar fairy tale or at others you’ll see a cat sanctuary with colors ripped right out of a storybook. You can tell that there was a major amount of love that went into making this movie possible.  

Puss in Boots swings between a traditional CGI animation and a style more reminiscent of comic books, which DreamWorks first utilized in its other 2022 film, The Bad Guys. The combination of the two styles makes it visually and aesthetically pleasing from all angles. 

Do I recommend Puss in Boots: The Last Wish? YES! This is one of those movies you must see to believe. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you will be in pure awe. The message in this movie will bring you to tears, it’s not your standard run of the mill family film. With deep and moving messages regarding mortality, intense action sequences, and jaw dropping animation it truly stands out.  

I was in shock of how “adult” this movie truly is, I saw it at a busy movie theatre and there were almost zero children in the audience. It was a packed house, but it was all people in their teens, twenties, and thirties. I suppose it adds up since the Shrek franchise (of which this film is a part) began in 2001. I would not advise bringing children under eight to see it because of the darker themes, intense action, and deep storyline.

Do yourself a favor, grab your crew (and your swords!) and go enjoy Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in theaters everywhere! Adios amigos! 

PICTURE CREDIT:

https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish#gallery