PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH, US, 2022. Voices of: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillen, Florence Pugh, John Mulaney, Wagner Moura, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, Olivia Colman, Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Directed by Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado. 100 minutes. Rated PG (Mild themes, animated violence and coarse language, some scenes may scare young children.)
A lot of audiences, young and old (except the littlies who might find it too scary), will enjoy this tale of Puss in Boots escapades.
Checking with Google, the origins of Puss in Boots go back to 1697, to the French fairytale storyteller, Charles Perreault (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella . . .). And the story has been taken up by many storytellers over the centuries. In movie consciousness, Puss appeared in the second Shrek film, to great popularity, leading to appearances in further Shrek films, short films, games… Now, it is surprising to find that it is 11 years since Puss had his first full-length feature film. Audiences will welcome him back after such a long delay.
Puss is a derring-do Spanish Hidalgo type, a lot like Zorro in style, with uniform, boots, slouch hat, sword, and with more than a touch of vanity. Puss in boots is a legend in his own eyes as well as all those who admire him. He is voiced, as before, by Antonio Banderas.
The film is titled The Last Wish, Puss having to confront the possibility of his death, relying far too confidently on the fact that cats have nine lives – until it is revealed to him, in an amusing gallery of variations, visually and verbally, on Puss, that he has had eight deaths already. Puss is now ready to make wishes for a long life, and discovers a document ‘Star light, star bright . . .’ He ventures out to find it and fulfil his wishes.
Audiences will enjoy Puss’ personality, his having to face reality, his being reunited with Kitty (Salma Hayek) and a cute little orphan dog, Perro, who becomes cuter and cuter! But, Puss has to find allies and confront hostilities. Who should turn up but Goldilocks and the three Bears, also on the wish quest (and very British with top-cast voices of Pugh, Winstone, Colman and Kayo), who provide some entertainment. Then Little Jack Horner, small, insignificant, but hostile, becoming literally puffed up in pursuit of Puss. But, most frightening of all, is a giant Wolf, Death, dark and in shadows, piercing eyes, who will confront Puss – leading to battles, Puss, Kitty, Perro and the bears supporting Puss.
How to describe Puss in Boots? Exciting – but even more so. Colourful – flamboyantly so. Adventurous – more than we anticipated. Entertaining – definitely. There is something ominous in the title of The Last Wish. Rather, a wish would be for another Puss in Boots adventure.
Universal
Released 26 December
Image: (from left) Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek Pinault), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and Perrito (Harvey Guillén) in DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, directed by Joel Crawford.
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