Shadows on the Wall | Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

dir Joel Crawford
prd Mark Swift
scr Paul Fisher, Tommy Swerdlow
voices Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey Guillen, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, John Mulaney, Wagner Moura, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Anthony Mendez, Kevin McCann
release US 21.Dec.22,
UK 3.Feb.23
22/US DreamWorks 1h37

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After 11 years, Shrek's swashbuckling cat is back for another hilarious, action-packed adventure. This time he's facing his mortality with his trademark overconfidence, which adds some sharply pointed thematic humour. And it's also a visual joy, as bright-hued animation brings the witty characters to life. Meanwhile, the snappy dialog includes some underlying emotion to make the film entertaining for all ages. Even if it feels rather hyperactive.

When his swaggering heroism uses up eight of his nine lives, Puss in Boots (Banderas) realises that his next death will be real. Experiencing fear for the first time, he goes into hiding with cat lady Mama Luna (Randolph), who renames him Pickles. But bounty hunters are looking for him, including Goldilocks (Pugh) and her three-bear gang (Colman, Winstone and Kayo), plus tenacious Big Bad Wolf (Moura). So Puss heads off to find the wishing star and gain more lives, accompanied by perky puppy Perrito (Guillen). He's also forced to reteam with rival Kitty (Hayek).

Loaded with spirited fairy tale references, Puss embarks on a series of challenges, first stealing a map to the star from Jack Horner (Mulvaney)then travelling through the Dark Forest, which is actually rather colourful. For some. This structure makes the film feel frantic and episodic, but gags are relentless, mixing pointed humour with giggle-inducing silliness. This, along with several moments of resonant emotion, makes up for the sometimes over-the-top cartoon violence. And the level of detail in the vibrant animation is impressive.

The fabulous voice cast flings constant verbal gags alongside a barrage of visual nuttiness. It's fun to see Puss and Kitty's cynicism challenged by Perro's relentless optimism. They make a great trio. Meanwhile, Goldilocks takes her own voyage of self-discovery regarding her adoptive bear family. And their fellow gathering horde of brutal villains is amusingly bonkers. Still, some of the nastiness is properly dark, and likely to scare younger viewers.

Along with Puss' new vulnerability, the story deepens as he faces regrets and tries to make things right with Kitty. This idea extends to other characters, as several are required to face up to their bravado amid impending peril. Because everyone has a big wish, the climactic battle is a crazily desperate scuffle, but it also has an unexpected edge to it. There's never much doubt about where this is headed, but the kinetic animation has some nice surprises right to the very end, which is as ridiculously heartwarming as we hope it will be.

themes, language, violence 2.Dec.22

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