Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

‘My compliments to your cobbler,’ says the Big Bad Wolf (Wagner Moura) to Puss In Boots (Antonia Banderas) is the latest cartoon caper from Dreamworks. Given that this is the first sequel to a spin-off to the Sherk franchise, which is pretty much played out since igniting the CGI animation world back, check notes, 22 years ago, anticipation was pretty limited for this one. Expectations aside, it’s a light, fluffy adventure with plenty of knowing gags; whether you love cats or not, Joel Crawford’s film is not a load of old cobblers nor one from the bottom of the litter tray.

A lavish, quick off-the mark action set piece shows us that Puss in Boots is getting old; a giant bell falls squarely on his furry little nog and a doctor suggests that he has now used up eight of his nine lives. A chance encounter with the Big Bad Wolf makes a cowardly cat of our hero, who buries his heroic garb and decides to sit out any potential conflicts. But Puss is being sought after by Goldilocks and the Three Bears, who are seeking the Wishing Star that can grant one single wish; of course, Puss in Boots wants nothing more than to get his eight lives back, and goes off in search, accompanied by Kitty Softpaws, voiced by Salma Hayek.

As a Dreamworks animation, this is still a cut above most; Florence Pugh is Goldilocks, and Olivia Coleman and Ray Winstone are Mama and Papa Bear respectively. But the MVP here is comic John Mulaney, who brings a louche yet manic energy to Little Jack Horner, one of several nursery rhyme characters who get pressed into service here. Appreciating what you’ve got and not betting it all on imponderables is the clear message here, and The Last Wish just about delivers it with some lively voice work and a rather more dynamic animation feel than the previous entry in the franchise.

Given the films striking box-office success as counterprogramming to the Avatar sequel, it’s unlikely that this will be the last we see of Puss; while a little darker than the other Shrek films, it’s charming and cute enough to satisfy family audiences. Gags like Puss claiming ‘I am a master of the baking’ suggest a little of the old Shrek humour for adults creeping in, and while the formula is aging like the furrball protagonist, Puss in Boots is the cat’s pyjamas as far as comfort food for kids goes.

Puss in Boots is out now in the US and then Feb 3 in the UK. Thanks to Universal UK for access.