Animated movies have come a long way since Steamboat Willie. Gone are the days of happy-go-lucky stories and today we see themes that are more mature than your average cartoon. It’s been 11 years since we have seen Puss in Boots on the screen and two questions come to mind: 1. Do we need a Puss In Boots sequel? and 2. How is this story relevant to today’s time?

If you are unfamiliar with the character of Puss in Boots, he first appeared in Shrek 2. He was a swashbuckling cat that assisted Shrek and Donkey. He had a spin-off movie and television show that showcased his further adventures. This movie takes place after all of that.

When we are introduced to Puss in Boots he is living a lavish life in a castle being serenaded by the people in the town. We soon found out that this castle belongs to someone else and in the skirmish that follows, a giant troll is awakened. The fight between Puss and the troll showcase the new animation styles that are used throughout most of the movie. The styles switch between 3D and 2D a la “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”.

The use of this animation is used in moderation throughout the movie. We see it mainly in fight sequences and it helps amplify the action of the scene. I have a feeling that more computer-animated movies will start using this style in the years to come. It’s a cool look and seeing Puss fight in this style is pretty awesome due to his cat agility.

So what happens in the fight between a Puss and the troll? That leads us to question 2. How is this story relevant to today’s time? (Don’t worry we’ll answer question 1 later.) The holiday season is one when many people start reflecting on the year that has passed. They start wondering about the life that they had and Puss has this moment. He is presented with the fact that he has one life left and there is a star that can grant him any wish he desires. We can all guess what that wish is. Yep, more lives. As the story continues we see that he is not the only one wanting to get this star.

The relevancy of this story is that this season we are all wanting that one last wish granted. We wish we can have a better year than the previous one. We wish we can provide for our family everything they need. We wish that our lives are meaningful and we will be remembered when we are gone. Puss starts reflecting on the life that he has lived and is worried about losing his last life. He is also worried about how he is going to be remembered. There is a “Christmas Carol” moment in the movie where Puss is surrounded by the different versions of his life and realizes something about himself. He has been selfish for most of his life. This selfishness is confirmed by his relationship with Kitty Softpaws.

Now for question 1: Do we need a Puss In Boots sequel? The answer to this is yes. It seems that in the years between the first Puss in Boots movie and The Last Wish the writers took their time to find the right story to tell. They could have made a simple story but they created something that is heartfelt and has something for everyone. We have familiar faces and new characters that help push the story along and emphasize the theme of morality and leaving a legacy.

Final Thoughts: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was a surprise sequel that told a great story about enjoying your life. It seems that this has been a theme this year, but maybe it’s a message that we can all learn a thing or two from. This continuing adventure does have a few flaws but it is a fun story to watch with your family this holiday season.

Kid-Friendly: Puss in Boots is great along the lines of the previous Shrek movies but has a few moments that might scare younger children. Jack Horner is a terrible person and his antics might be too much. The concept of Death coming after you might stir up nightmares for the younger kids but can also develop an interesting conversation after the movie is over. In regards to language, Perrito says a lot of curse words but those are bleeped out.

Violence: There are a lot of fight scenes in the movie involving swords, scythes, and bear claws. We do see some bloodshed in one fight. The treatment of Jack Horner’s henchmen is crude and this is due to the person that Jack is.

For the first time in more than a decade, DreamWorks Animation presents a new adventure in the Shrek universe as daring outlaw Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for peril and disregard for safety have taken their toll. Puss has burned through eight of his nine lives, though he lost count along the way. Getting those lives back will send Puss in Boots on his grandest quest yet.

Academy Award® nominee Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the notorious PiB as he embarks on an epic journey into the Black Forest to find the mythical Wishing Star and restore his lost lives. But with only one life left, Puss will have to humble himself and ask for help from his former partner and nemesis: the captivating Kitty Softpaws (Oscar® nominee Salma Hayek Pinault).

In their quest, Puss and Kitty will be aided—against their better judgment—by a ratty, chatty, relentlessly cheerful mutt, Perrito (Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows). Together, our trio of heroes will have to stay one step ahead of Goldi (Oscar® nominee Florence Pugh, Black Widow) and the Three Bears Crime Family, Jack Horner (Emmy winner John Mulaney, Big Mouth) and terrifying bounty hunter, the big, bad Wolf (Wagner Moura, Narcos).

Now available to stream and physical copies, you can bring Puss in Boots: The Last Wish home. Check out all of the features on the home release and enter below to win a digital copy for your family!

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K UHD, BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL FOR YOUR COLLECTION:
• ALL-NEW EXCLUSIVE SHORT “THE TRIDENT” – When you’re the legendary Puss in Boots, life and death
go paw in paw. In this epic original short, Puss recalls one of his most daring deaths yet.
• DELETED SCENES
o POTTY BREAK
o LOVE AND DEATH
o WALL O’SNAKES
• A CAST OF CHARACTERS – You know their voices, now see the faces behind all the beloved PUSS IN BOOTS
characters.
o PUSS IN BOOTS
o KITTY SOFTPAWS
o PERRITO
o GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
o JACK HORNER
o WOLF
• IN THE BEGINNING – Go behind the scenes with the filmmakers of PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH to
discover how they brought this great tale to life.
• JACK HORNER’S LINE-O-RAMA – Jack Horner says it all in this comedic line-o-rama.
• “FEARLESS HERO” LYRIC VIDEO – Sing along from home!
• HOW TO DRAW THE PURRFECT PAWTRAIT – Join Director Joel Crawford and Co-Director Januel Mercado
as they teach us how to draw our favorite characters.
o PUSS IN BOOTS
o KITTY SOFTPAWS
o PERRITO
• HOW TO MAKE A PAPER PERRITO – Every hero needs a sidekick and this ‘how to’ will help you create your
very own.
• KITTY CAM – Sit back, relax and enjoy a festive cluster of kittens as they frolic and play. This cat-stravaganza is
sure to entertain for hours.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY – with Director Joel Crawford, Co-Director Januel Mercado, Producer Mark Swift,
Editor James Ryan and Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert