If 2022 has proved anything, it's that audiences have a genuine craving for nostalgia with long-awaited sequels including Top Gun: Maverick, Hocus Pocus 2, and Avatar: The Way Of Water opening to surprising results with DreamWorks Animated sequel, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish joining the list. The long-awaited sequel to the 2011 smash hit and spin-off of the popular Shrek franchise, Puss In Boots see's the return of the lovable swashbuckling cat who became so popular with audiences, that he received his own spin-off franchise. Instead of the typical 3 to 5 year window that's standard for a sequel release, audiences waited over a decade for the next adventure in the popular franchise. Released 12 years after the previous film, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish continues the adventure of the popular folk hero cat with a sequel which proves that some franchises do improve with age.
Continuing from where the original Puss In Boots left off, The Last Wish has the fugitive cat realizing that his passion for adventure has come to a halt with him burning through eight of his nine lives. In an effort to reverse his fortunes, Puss sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore the lives lost while making new friends and reconnecting with old ones. What makes The Last Wish's story a worthy sequel is that its self-reflective of its main characters legacy in addition to promoting some vital life-lessons that audiences can take away from it. The Last Wish's story is one that's pure heart and retains all of the originals charm while moving the characters legacy forward. As a piece of fun entertainment which the whole family can enjoy, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish is a true winner.
Much of Puss In Boots charm can be attributed to the fantastic voice performances from its remarkable cast. Antonio Banderas is both funny and heartfelt as the charismatic swashbuckling cat fugitive, who finds himself staring at his own mortality upon realizing that he only has one life left. Salma Hayek Pinault surprises as street-savvy tuxedo cat, Kitty Softpaws, who's revealed to be Puss' female counterpart and love interest. Their chemistry is spot-on with both appearing to have a complete blast with their roles. Harvey Guillen shines as therapy dog Perrito, who starts out as one of Mama Luna's pet cats and becomes a close friend of Puss and Kitty. Florence Pugh impresses as Goldilocks, leader of the Three Bears Crime Family who wants to get the Last Wish in order to use it to regain her biological family. Rounding out the films colorful cast is Olivia Colman as Mama Bear, Ray Winstone as Papa Bear, Samson Kayo as Baby Bear, John Mulaney as feared crime lord "Big" Jack Horner, who plans to reach the wishing star, and Wagner Moura as a white wolf in black hooded cloak who desires to take Boots final life. Overall, The Last Wish's voice cast adds a ton of heart to the film.
As far as animation goes, director Joel Crawford crafts a visually enchanting world that's sharper, crisper, and more dazzling than the Shrek films combined with DreamWorks stepping up their game once again in the animation department. Along with the films overall look, the music ranks among its strongest elements with Brazilian composer Heitor Pereira assembling a soundtrack that mixes original pieces sung by both him and Banderas to other works performed by Gaby Moreno and Karol G with revised classics such as a Spanish remix of "The End", originally performed by the The Doors. At 102 minutes, The Last Wish never feels like it's moving too slow nor fast for its plot and characters to receive their proper amount of development. With directing, Crawford gives the sequel a more mature feel along with pushing the technological boundaries of Dreamworks animation.
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A big part of why The Last Wish works is because of the thoughtfulness that went into writing its script. The messages being conveyed here are deeply meaningful not just to young children, but their parents as well. The main plot revolves around the concept of one realizing that they have only one life and that they should use it wisely as evidenced by Puss' characters revelation. The latter lived a carefree and adventurous life until he realizes that he used up eight of his nine lives with only one remaining. Other themes including rekindled romance and accepting family members for who they are, are touched upon with Kitty's character forcing Puss to reflect on what was lost between them, along with Goldilock wanting to bring back her biological family though later realizing that she loves her bear family regardless. Other themes including retirement, trust, and sacrifice are at play here with Puss realizing that he must hang up his legendary status as being a swashbuckler in order to maximize the one he has left. He also learns about what real bravery and courage is in the face of death as the white wolf pursues him to seize his final life with Puss not willing to go out without a fight. The films ultimate message has Puss completing his character arc and realizing that one life is enough and that it should be lived to the fullest along with making friends throughout it.
What could've easily ended up being a pointless follow-up largely surprises with the level of smarts that went into crafting its story, along with maintaining the series charm and heart. Whereas the Shrek franchise steadily flamed out due to a lack of fresh ideas, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish finds ways to surprise audiences while being extremely heartfelt with the sincerity behind its storytelling. Although not be the best animated film to be released in 2022 (Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio wears that crown), it's undoubtedly one of the years strongest films along with showing how long-distance sequels when properly executed, can become a pleasant surprise.
Final Victory: SEE IT
Images Courtesy Of DreamWorks Animation
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