Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Movie Review

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is an animated movie for anyone who has a spirit of adventure, and a dash of ‘Shrek’ nostalgia. The big green ogre is nowhere to be seen, but one of his faithful companions is ‘Puss in Boots’, who continues his own story of fearless heroism. Until he comes to the final of his nine lives…

Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas)is a wanted criminal, but he is also the beloved champion of the underdog and the mistreated. Puss fights against the evil overlords and anyone who dares to face up to him. This cat has no fear, and laughs in the face of death. His small size is outdone by his oversized spirit. Some would say his oversized ego! His outfit is unique; Puss has his Boots, his Belt, his Blade, and his Oversized Feathered Hat.

But an unfortunate tussle with a Forest Giant has taken the eighth life of Puss in Boots. The local doctor says that he only has his current Life. And when he loses that current Life, Puss may need to be buried with his Boots on. Puss decides that maybe a retirement home would be the safest way to go. He heads over to Mama Luna’s Cat Rescue, for a safe shelter. But a sheltered life for a swashbuckling hero cat is big let-down.

Puss buries his outfit, to give a final farewell to ‘Puss in Boots’ the legendary hero. But little does he know that evil plans are afoot. Or perhaps — ‘apaw’. That is, the notorious Crime Family is on the move – looking for the master thief ‘Puss in Boots’. That family is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

It is led by Goldilocks (voiced by Florence Pugh), leading her ‘hench-bears’ — Papa Bear (voiced by Ray Winstone), Mama Bear (voiced by Olivia Colman), and Baby Bear (voiced by Samson Kayo). They are after a Magical Map, the map that leads to a fallen Wishing Star.

But Goldi and gang are not the only ones who want the Map. It is also coveted by “Big” Jack Horner (voiced by John Mulaney). Yeah, he used to be Little, but then he had a glandular issue. Jack collects all types of Fairy Tale magic objects. So his most feverish wish is to get to that Wishing Star and get all the magic in the world.

Puss, back at the cat shelter, meets up with Perrito (voiced by Harvey Guillén) — and he is a little different. He is actually a very small dog dressed up as a cat. He is there mostly for the free food, but he wants to have a friend. Puss wants to make Perrito go away.

Goldi and her Bear Gang attack the shelter, but they think that ‘Puss in Boots’ is dead. Puss hears about the Wishing Star map, and he is ready to get back into his ‘Boots’. Puss gets to Jack Horner’s Pie Factory. Yes, Jack still sticks in his thumb once in a while.

Puss in Boots is back, baby! He is ready to a solitary loner. But then he gets Peritto as a friend he did not ask for. But Puss also meets another old friend at the Factory. Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek) is there, and she intends to steal the map herself. Kitty and Puss have a connection that goes way back.

Puss once left Kitty alone at the altar. He could not get married, because he believed it would ruin his legendary hero status. Or, at least in his own mind. Perrito tags along as Puss and Kitty steal the map and head for the Dark Forest. But they are being quickly pursued by the Goldi Gang and by Big Jack Horner.

But in the Dark Forest, things start to turn — well, dark. When Puss in Boots looks at the map, the way to the Wishing Star is loaded with peril. When Kitty Softpaws looks at the map, the path is paved with danger. But when that lovable goofball Perrito looks at the map — there is nothing by sunshine, rainbows and Happy Places. Well, that’s an easy decision! But with Jack Horner with his evil bakers, along with Goldi and the Three Bears, there is a hot pursuit in progress.

Puss in Boots has not let on yet to anyone that he is being stalked. Puss is down to his last life, and this Wishing Star might be able to grant him more lives. But Puss is being hunted, followed and tracked down. There is a bounty hunter out to get him — Dead or Alive. But this is the Big Bad Wolf (voiced by Wagner Moura), who really just wants Puss in the ‘Dead’ column. Because, he looks like the Big Bad Wolf, but he is actually Death! Not a nice guy!

So, the questions continue: Will Puss in Boots be able to get his wish for more lives? Will Kitty Softpaws get her wish, of finding a special someone whom she can really trust? Will Goldi get her wish, about finding a true family? Or will the evilness of Big Jack Horner get a wish that could ruin the magical world? Can a sequel to a movie that came out ten years ago still find success?

“Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” turns out to be a warm and wonderfully done movie that is does not miss a beat, even after being in hibernation for around ten years. There is probably little expectation that this movie was going to be good, more like it was ready to cough up a hairball.

But no – because when you have the smooth voice talent of Antonio Banberas, matched up with the equally purr-fect Salma Hayek — there is chemistry of feline friendship on the screen. Then you add in Harvey Guillén and Florence Pugh, along with rest of the voice talent – there is a quite a lot to wag your tail about. Just ask Perrito!

“Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” is a sequel that almost nobody asked for, but it worked out much better than anyone hoped. This is all Grade-A kibble, without an ounce of litter.