Here’s the best way I can sum-up “Puss in Boots”: It’s so much fun that even Shrek would love it.
DreamWorks re-introduced the fairy tale cat to the movie public in “Shrek 2” back in 2004 and he immediately became one of the most popular characters of the “Shrek” ensemble. And now, eight years (and two other “Shrek” films) later, Puss in Boots has his own movie, with Antonio Banderas, once again, providing his voice.
“Puss in Boots” is both a spin-off and a prequel, as we get Puss’ back story – How he grew-up, became an outlaw and a hero, all before eventually joining-up with Shrek and Donkey in that franchise.
At the start of the film we learn that Puss is a wanted cat, accused of stealing money from the people of the small, Spanish town where he lives. To clear his name Puss wants to get his paws on the magic beans, that the adult Jack and Jill have found. Everyone believes that if you plant the magic beans in the right spot they will grow into a beanstalk that will take you to a castle in the sky and to the goose that lays the golden eggs.
But Puss isn’t the only one who wants the beans. His former best friend, Humpty Dumpty, has been dreaming of finding the beans since the two were young orphans together. But they’re enemies now. And a feisty feline named Kitty Softpaws, who’s been working with Humpty to try to get the beans, is also in the picture. These three decide to work together to try to get take the beans from Jack and Jill.
And that’s just the set-up. There are fun twists and turns in the story along the way that add plenty of suspense in the second half. In fact “Puss in Boots” is more of an action/adventure film than a comedy. It does have some big laughs, but they’re mostly at the beginning as we’re getting to know the characters. “Puss” doesn’t have all the jokes and pop culture references of the “Shrek” films, but it has a charm and spirit all it’s own. The writing team wisely takes a different route with this spin-off and it works.
The script is filled with funny moments, and it’s also an homage to the classic “good guy is forced to become an outlaw and fights to clear his name” genre, which is led, of course, by Zorro – the character that Puss in Boots is based on. And Banderas, as you probably remember, played the Zorro character most recently on the big screen in two films (“The Mask of Zorro” in 1998 and “The Legend of Zorro” in 2005) so it all comes together in a very clever way.
As for the animation, it’s better than ever. DreamWorks continues to raise the bar with every new animated film they produce. There’s a ‘Cat Dance Fight’ and stagecoach chase that are visually amazing. Director Chris Miller adds some nice cinematic touches, including using split screens and montages. And the voice cast is perfect.
“Puss in Boots” is rated PG. It’s appropriate for kids 8 and up. But, like the “Shrek” series and, to a lesser extent, the “Kung Fu Panda” films, “Puss in Boots” can be enjoyed by adults as well. This may be the most “mature” of all the DreamWorks animated films.
On “The Official Kid Critic Report Card“, “Puss in Boots” gets a B+.
From the one’s I’ve seen and the research I’ve done “Puss in Boots” has to be the best spin-off movie of all-time. Miller (and I) are hoping we’ll be lucky enough to enjoy a few more Puss adventures before he finally meets-up with that big green ogre.