The animation industry has grown increasingly stale in the last few years, falling into the repetitive and uninspired ‘Disney/Pixar’ look. Boasting originality and alternative stories (as it has from its inception), DreamWorks returns once again to provide a fresh and stylistic take on the animated genre, standing apart from the Mouse House with one of its fan favourites, the swashbuckling Puss in Boots.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish spins the tale of the renowned and suave Spanish cat, who, following a life of adventure, lovers, danger, and excitement, discovers he has used up eight of his nine lives. Terrified of what awaits him should he die once again, Puss sets off in search of a falling star. The magical artifact can grant one wish and thus return his nine lives, but he’s not the only one in search of such powerful magic, prompting a quest filled with friends, foes, and an opponent unlike any the legendary hero has ever faced.
Antonio Banderas injects incredible charisma, humour, and bravery into Puss in Boots, creating a loveable rogue that drowns out his flaws with an overconfident exterior, but is in need of some humility. Joining him and balancing out his ego is Salma Hayek’s witty femme fatale feline Kitty Softpaws, an experienced thief and romantic interest from his past. Completing the trio is Harvey Guillen’s Perrito, a vulnerable sidekick who so easily could have become another insufferable Jar Jar Binks, but instead becomes a likeable and important figure in not only the grand quest but Puss’s well-developed character arc. Together, the unlikely team bounce off each other with ease, developing a real sense of comradery amongst the heroes.
Regarding the antagonistic forces, the Shrek franchise has always had fascinating and varied villains, and thankfully The Last Wish is no different. Florence Pugh’s cockney bounty hunter Goldilocks and her Three Bears create a touching subplot beneath the search for the star. Adding to this is John Mulaney’s hilarious Big Jack Horner, a very imaginative spin on an old nursery rhyme and a cold-blooded killer who provides much of the fantastic dry humour in the film. Undoubtedly, the standout performance is from Narcos star Wagner Moura, whose portrayal of the spine-chilling and devilishly fiendish Wolf is already going down as one of the most terrifying and memorable of DreamWorks’ villains.
Where The Last Wish shines most is in its animation and cinematography. Following the ground-breaking comic book style of Sony’s Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, animation studios were reminded of the vast capabilities of the artform outside of Disney films like Frozen or their recent flop Strange World. The Last Wish embraces this artistic potential and leans into the comic book style. Splashed throughout the story are gorgeous transitions, creative character designs, locations, colours, textures, and action-packed set pieces. There is a clear sense of passion behind the project. Even the cinematography is of a calibre unseen and unexpected in animated movies, recalling the legendary Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns, weaving in Spanish culture and drawing the audience into a world that is fresh and inviting. The Shrek universe continues to expand with each entry and is one that never seems to grow old.
What is most surprising, however, about Puss in Boots’ journey is the presence of some very mature themes. Of course, as per the fairy tale standard, messages regarding family, friendship, love, and kindness are all incorporated, but The Last Wish isn’t afraid to delve deeper and darker. Primarily, the film centres around the fear of death and a desire to live life to the fullest. Children won’t understand the gripping dilemma of the titular hero and his existential panic. Additionally, with the unexpected but welcome inclusion of some blood, along with incredibly dry and mature comedy, The Last Wish is a film that seems targeted at older audiences despite its childish façade. This is quite like DreamWorks’ other marvellous sequel Kung Fu Panda 2, delineating the perfect blend between child-friendly designs and visuals, and serious, character-driven subject material.
In the end, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish succeeds in breathing life back into animation and providing a tale that is heartfelt, engaging, and incredibly gorgeous to look at. Despite a few slow moments throughout the story, the end result is fantastic. With a teasing finale and the positive reception from audiences, it’s very likely these heroes will grace the silver screen again, expanding the Shrek franchise further and embarking on an adventure that will hopefully be just as memorable and exciting as this one.
4.5/5
