Puss In Boots: The Last Wish Defies All Expectations

Seriously, how is this movie so good? This is for the Editorial Fellowship.

Sequel to a Sequel

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish took audiences by storm when it released a few weeks ago, and upon viewing its not hard to see why. It’s absolutely packed with fun scenes, great music, beautiful animation and a better story than audiences have seen in a Dreamworks film for quite some time. But is that really enough to warrant the success? After all, we are talking about a sequel to a spin-off of another sequel. If you’re asking yourself ‘how good can it really be?’ I can assure you that the answer is better than you think.

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The Roots of the Franchise

The film starts us off with Puss in Boots living up to his larger-than-life legend with a catchy musical number and a visually stunning fight scene. This scene establishes Puss as the character we have come to know and love despite his flaws - a fearless macho man who is always ready for a party. When someone or something comes along to ruin his fun, he takes them down with style. However, his arrogance gets the better of him and ultimately is what kills him in this life. A quick trip to the local doctor makes him realize that he’s on his final life and it is time for him to retire. This was a surprisingly dark storyline to go with for a children’s movie, and that is a big part of why this movie accomplished what none of us expected. It reminded older audiences of what Shrek used to be.

Before all of the memes that solidified Shrek as the reigning king of childhood movies to Gen Z kids everywhere, Shrek first saw success as a massive protest to Disney. This franchise started as a movie aimed at redefining what animation could be and the topics it could cover while still maintaining its kid-friendly nature. There are adult jokes sprinkled all throughout the Shrek franchise, as well as some more adult plot lines in the later installments. However, The Last Wish stands alone as an end-of-life story about coming to terms with death in a children’s movie.

Surprising Audiences

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The Last Wish uses audiences' expectations to heighten the experience at numerous points throughout the film. For example, most people would not expect to see the main character die within the first 10 minutes of a movie. However, we see Puss in Boots die a total of 8 times in that time frame. This works incredibly well for comedic timing and breezes through any exposition needed. Writers also present us with a character called Perrito who most audience members seem to think they will dislike for his relentlessly cheerful attitude, only to give that character the most tragic backstory imaginable. This not only subverts audience expectations, but also provides a perfect foil for Puss in Boots on his journey towards happiness and self-acceptance.

Anxiety and Death

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Beyond teaching a lesson in humility and gratefulness, this movie also discusses anxiety and the way it impacts actions through Puss in Boots. When Death shows up on screen, it is always fear-inducing. It’s impossible not to empathize with Puss when all his hairs stand on end, the room goes quiet, and his memories flash before his eyes. However, Death is more than just an intimidating character or driving force. He is the embodiment of Puss’s anxiety catching up to him for a life he feels that he has wasted.

Any time Death shows up, it is at a critical decision-making moment. Whether it is after he discovers he is on his last life, during a fight, or when Puss is reminded of the glory of his past lives, Death appears and influences his actions. Anxiety often makes people run from the things they need to face, and that is exactly what Death does. To hammer home this dual-purpose character, the movie also shows Puss in Boots having realistically portrayed anxiety attacks when confronted by Death. This representation was an unexpected and hugely appreciated detail woven perfectly into the story.

Supporting Characters

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Despite all of these enriching details, The Last Wish never gets too depressing or heavy-hitting. It ultimately is still a very fun movie with plenty of jokes and comedic moments. The character cast also includes Goldilocks and the Three Bears as well as Jack Horner and his henchman. This varied cast are all pitted against each other in the race for “the last wish” with some parties being far more deserving than others. Goldilocks and her family achieve a heartwarming redemption arc that makes them feel interesting and important to the overall story. Jack Horner is a perfect caricature of villainy which creates a wonderful balance between all of the characters. He is a hilariously written character who is brought to life perfectly by John Mulaney’s vocal performance.

Animation Style

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Although the story is obviously the key to this movie’s success, it would be a disservice not to mention the absolutely stellar animation style and action choreography in this film. The animators lean heavily into a more stylized look complete with vivid colors, action lines, varied frame-rates, occasional palette changes, and astoundingly detailed backgrounds. They also create interesting visual effects by combining 2D and 3D animation that pushes Dreamworks back into the leading edge of Western animation, just as Shrek did over 20 years ago.

The incredible action choreography feels less like something created by Dreamworks and more like something straight out of a Japanese anime. The fights are action-packed and visually stunning, with all the destruction and energy of an Attack on Titan episode and hits that make the audience cringe sympathetically. The final fight takes place on top of the wishing star, which serves as a beautifully colorful backdrop to an epic conclusion. The fact that Death is following Puss in Boots throughout the movie helps to make the stakes in every fight feel real, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

Incredible Soundtrack

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The dynamic score included throughout the film also helps bolster the wonderful animation. The music is often synced to fun action lines and rising tension in fighting sequences which add to the overall experience. Characters also have their own theme music that enhances their presence on-screen. It helps to make this film a more enriched and fully realized world than its predecessor - which audiences absolutely do not have to see to enjoy this film. There are only minor callbacks to the first Puss in Boots movie aside from the inclusion of Kitty Softpaws, who is a delightful character that serves to balance out our main characters and connect The Last Wish to its roots.

Reignited Love

After watching this film, it’s easy to see why it has been received so well by both critics and audiences alike. The story, pacing, and animation all come together to make an incredibly fun watching experience that the Shrek franchise has lacked since the release of Shrek 2 all the way back in 2004. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has managed to save the Shrek franchise from the deteriorating legacy it has left behind after its numerous unsuccessful and mediocre sequels. This film has rekindled a love for the Shrek universe and reminds viewers why we all loved Shrek in the first place; because it’s genuinely fun to watch for anyone.

Where to Watch

If you would like to see this fantastic movie for yourself, it is currently available to buy on Youtube and Amazon. Alternatively, physical copies can be picked up at your local Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.