PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH
US, 2022, 100 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillen, Florence Pugh, John Mulaney, Wagner Moura, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, Olivia Coleman, Da' Vine Joy Randolph.
Directed by Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado.
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 his style, his uniform, boots, his slouch at, his sword, with more than a touch of vanity, 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…” And ventures out to find it and fulfil his wishes.
Audiences will enjoy Puss’s 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 Florence Pugh, Ray Winstone, Olivia Coleman, Samuel 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.
- The popularity of Puss in Boots in fairytales? In films, the introduction in the Shrek films? As a character, presence, and the voice of Antonio Banderas?
- The sequel, after 11 years, welcomed? The title – and yet audience eagerness for another sequel?
- The animation style, vivid, colourful, the characters, the backgrounds, the action? The range of characters? The voice cast? The songs?
- Audience lighting of Puss in Boots? The past? Seeing him again, Spanish, accent, style, the parallel with the Zorro? Swashbuckling? His mission is an achievement? Seeing him as a legend? His vanity? The shock of death? The vision of his previous deaths, the humorous presentation of the different aspects of Puss? There later reappearance, when he was on the brink of his last death?
- Performance, song, the crowds? The reintroduction of Kitty? Their past, together, clashes, her annoyance at his vanity, yet continually with him? Support, challenge, love?
- Perro, The orphaned dog, diminutive, cute – and becoming cuter?
- The wish, the star, Puss and his wish? The introduction of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, their wishes? Jack Horner, in the corner but assertive? The range of other characters?
- The quest, Puss, the search, the confrontation with the Bears, with Jack Horner? And the appearance of Death, the giant Wolf, eyes, pursuit, challenge?
- Goldilocks, British accent, assertive, the other Bears, British accents? Audience knowledge of the fairytale, the variations, the comic touches, the happy resolution?
- Jack Horner, inflated, pursuit, comeuppance?
- Puss and the confrontation with death, the meeting of his other deaths? Kitty and her encouragement? The confrontation with death, the fight, the help, vanquishing?
- An entertainment for children and adults?
