It's the dark horse of the year that nobody saw coming - and those kitten eyes have worked wonders on us too...
Directors: Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén
Running time: 102 minutes
From the makers of Shrek, Puss in Boots’ latest adventure is everything a nineties kid’s nostalgia - as well as a family-friendly film - could want. As is commonly known, a cat has nine lives, but notorious outlaw Puss in Boots is thrown into turmoil upon realising he is down to his last. Setting out on a chaos-filled adventure with old friends and foes making an appearance, Puss is on the hunt for the mythical Wishing Star to get his lives back and continue in the adventure-fuelled fashion he is best known for. Sending him on a quest into the treacherous Dark Forest, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish tests him to his limits.
Familiar voices including Antonio Banderas (Puss), Salma Hayek (Kitty Softpaws), Florence Pugh (Goldilocks) and Olivia Colman (Mama Bear) bring the tale of The Last Wish to life in pure comedic spirits. The humour that Dreamworks are known for delivers just as it always has - with jokes for the younger viewers and plenty of innuendo-led comedic moments for parents and older viewers to laugh out loud at too. Together with stunning animation that has evolved into a diverse CGI and hand-drawn stylised mix, as well as rounded characters with detailed personalities, the intricate detail of Puss in Boots absorbs the viewer into the story unfolding - and you can’t help but fall in love with the characters on screen as danger and adventure ensues.
This film is a must see, if not for the nostalgic enjoyment of the Shrek franchise then to appreciate the animation style, soundtrack and the evolution of Puss in Boots as a character
Despite being a family-friendly animated film, The Last Wish deals with some mature themes including morality, death and family. A metaphoric moral dilemma of making the most of the one life Puss has left, and whether you can live fully enough to appreciate one life and not need to wish for more, rings true for most adults watching - and provides a heartwarming undertone throughout. The theme of family and the various ways family can be in your life - born into, adopted by a chosen family, or friends that love you like family - is a beautiful message that resonates with all age viewers.
This film is a must see, if not for the nostalgic enjoyment of the Shrek franchise then to appreciate the animation style, soundtrack and the evolution of Puss in Boots as a character himself. It would be hard to find a viewer that will not leave a screening of this without a smile on their face.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is now showing at Broadway Cinema
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