Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

 

7/10

Starring

Antonio Banderas

Salma Hayek Pinault

Harvey Guillén

Florence Pugh

Olivia Colman

 

Directed by Joel Crawford

 

Here is a sequel and a fresh addition to the Shrek franchise that breathes new life into it. This sequel comes more than a decade after the first animated spin-off. The animation is visually stunning, the voice acting is captivating, and even though the story is fairly predictable, the engaging performances and compelling story arcs make for a grand journey. The journey itself makes you forget that you can probably guess how the animation will end.

The movie has a darker tone compared to the other films in the franchise, but it’s still funny. The comedy does a great job of compensating for elements that might otherwise fall flat, making it easy for new viewers to be drawn in by characters originally introduced in Shrek 2 (2004) and Puss in Boots (2011).

One thing I’ve always loved about the Puss in Boots animations is how they carve their own path, independent of the Shrek franchise. You can watch this as a standalone film without needing to ask too many questions about the first Puss in Boots movie or the larger Shrek series. That said, fans of the franchise will still enjoy spotting the references scattered throughout.

As usual, the movie is set in a fairy tale world. Interestingly, the animation style shifts when the plot picks up pace, adding a unique touch. The story explores Puss’s struggle with the fear of dying, an arc that delves into universal fears of mortality. How Puss confronts and overcomes this fear is a key focus of the movie.

Running parallel to this is Puss’s quest to steal a map that leads to a wishing star, which can grant any wish. The story kicks off when Goldilocks and the Three Bears approach Puss, seeking his help to steal the map. At the same time, Puss is hiding from a black-hooded wolf who is hunting him. Puss doesn’t fully understand why the wolf is after him, but he knows it has something to do with him being on the last of his nine lives. The discovery of the wishing star puts Puss on a path of redemption as he tries to regain his lost lives.

Joining him on this adventure is Kitty Softpaws, who also wants the map to make her own wish. Meanwhile, Big Jack Horner, another contender for the map, has his own plans for the star.

With its fun journey and enjoyable cast, this is an animation you’ll want to watch more than once.