Last Updated on December 30, 2022
PLOT: Puss in Boots is back, and this time he is nearly out of his nine lives. Thankfully he may have an answer. With the legend of a lost star that can grant a single wish, he and his pals seek out this magical item in hopes to prolong his kitty lives.
REVIEW: The cat is back. Over a decade after the first cat-centric adventure, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish makes a swashbuckling return to the big screen. Antonio Banderas is back as Puss, along with his on-and-off romantic interest, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek). This time, the cast includes a good-hearted undercover puppy played by by the scene-stealer Harvey Guillén. Florence Pugh as Goldilocks, and her three bears (Olivia Coleman, Samson Kayo, and Ray Winstone) are all terrific. John Mulaney shows up as the adult version of Jack Horner – if you remember the nursery rhyme – and he embraces it rather well. And William Moura is delightfully wicked as the Big Bad Wolf hunting down the legendary furball. And yes, animated adventures are in season with this delightful family film from Dreamworks.
After an impressive opening celebration in the town of all things Puss, the cat faces the fact that he is on the last of his nine lives. Having been warned that he must end his adventurous ways, he is convinced to become a lapcat. However, Puss’ fate is not with cat lady De’Vine Joy Randolph. Unfortunately for him, the Big Bad Wolf, a bounty hunter, is hot on his trail to take him in. However, you can’t keep Puss down. When he runs into an old friend, the sly Kitty Softpaws (Hayek), the two find themselves hunting for a legendary star that will grant one final wish. With only one life left, Puss is desperate to find a magical gift to grant someone the legend of the “last wish.” Yet Kitty, Puss, and their adorable companion Perro (Harvey Guillén) aren’t the only ones on the prowl.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish starts with a bang. The opening action sequence is surprisingly exciting. And yes, it all leads to many humorous adventures. Even still, the Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado-directed feature is just as thrilling as it is charming. The entire premise of searching for what could grant the most potent wish brings a sense of wonder and thrills. Within the world, the characters must follow a map that leads them on dangerous roads which appear impossible to maneuver through. Yet the way they find their destination is decidedly exciting. The Last Wish works on many levels. It’s a visual treat with a sweet script, and it also mixes humor and big blockbuster moments rather well.
Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek make for a great on-screen duo once again. The two balance each other perfectly with their terrific vocal performances. One scene where they try and out cute each other had me laughing, quite literally, out loud. That happened a few times, and that’s an absolute joy to feel while watching an animated flick. The side characters add to the fun. Harvey Guillén brings on the adorableness of Perro. Florence Pugh is a firecracker as Goldilocks, along with the three bears, beautifully done by Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, and Samson Kayo. And if you want a couple of solid Shrek-like bad guys, we got em. Wagner Moura’s Big Bad Wolf and John Mulaney’s Jack Horner offer clever villainy for a movie like this.
Ultimately, the sequel brings the visual flair and the enjoyable characters to the forefront. The script manages a return to the charms of the Shrek-inspired franchise. Way back when, Mike Myers brought an edge to the fairy tale come to life. And with this, there’s much for adults as well. Even the premise within the script written by Tommy Swerdlow and Paul Fisher handles aging in an entertaining, yet heartfelt way. The final act has a sweet message that will charm even the most cynical viewers. The Last Wish is a sequel that manages to bring back much of the magic from before. All the way back to when we first were introduced to this fantastical Far Far Away. And yes, the new film does tie into that in an inspired way.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a solid return for the imaginative and comedic fairy tale world. As a sequel to a film from 2011, the magic holds up better than one may expect. The cast is great, and the visuals are wildly impressive. The sequel may not change how we see animated cinema, but it will undoubtedly bring laughs aplenty to the whole family. I was smiling ear to ear for most of this feature. And yes, even I found myself curious to see if we can have yet another good sequel from the land that is Far, Far Away. If you still long for Shrek and friends, you’ll be happy to hear that this is a witty and action-packed return to that quirky and comedic magic.
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