PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH IS NOT A PURR-FECT FILM

Fans of the Shrek franchise know that when they visit Far Far Away or places nearby, they will always seem to find a plethora of fun family films to enjoy with characters that stay in our minds forever. And one of those characters that we have all grown to love is Puss In Boots. The sword-wielding Spanish cat voiced by Antonio Banderas returns for another wild adventure in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. But this time around, there is more at stake as Puss In Boots has gone through eight of his nine lives since the first film debuted over a decade ago.

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish

The often cool and calm cat finds himself beginning to fear his own death. But what will potentially save the day? Puss In Boots learns along with his adversaries and friends that a shooting star with the ability to grant him or anyone that gets to it first a wish of their choice. He then makes it his mission to get to the star first so he can wish for additional lives. Quite the premise, but as much as things shine, lots of the film misses the mark with animation choices that stop certain jokes in their tracks, and it also finds itself being a little too adult for its own good.

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH HITS THEATERS JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

Not to give everything away, but the animation is spectacular but also inconsistent, as there are different styles of animation throughout the film that are meant to help tell the story. However, they are also choices that take you out of the film. As much as you want to see chances taken in sequels, we all still want what got us to the dance in the first place.

As much of Puss In Boots sets the tone that we remember, the character is changed to a point where we don’t fully love him the way we should. Will you have a good time with your kids, will they like it? It literally is a 50/50 answer. There are touches of charm that slip through, but it is a little heavy with themes that might scare kids as well.

Having said that, that is also why people might like it. The Last Wish confronts mortality and facing death, strong subjects that you might not want to talk about with your kids, but maybe you also do want to teach them about that part of life. What the film does do is make you ask questions and you might have to provide hard answers. It is a film that you should give a chance, but in no way is it purr-fect!

As mentioned above, Antonio Banderas returns to voice Puss, with Salma Hayek voicing his nemesis and love interest Kitty Soft Paws. The film introduces a new buddy in the precocious and happy puppy named Perro, voiced by Harvey Guillén. The group must deal with the likes of Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) and the Three Bears Crime Family, “Big” Jack Horner (John Mulaney) and terrifying bounty hunter, The Big Bad Wolf (Wagner Moura). Other voice cast members include Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, Anthony Mendez, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish hits theaters on December 21.

Keep Reading:

Donald Glover Is Returning To Spider-Man, Playing Hypno-Hustler In New Film