What a dramatic and sharp improvement from the first. And the first wasn't even bad! But this is like it cut off the shackles the first was under to fit in the formula of the franchise, the studio, and anknated movies of the time in general. Now in Spiderverse's wake they realized they can be daring and be a genuinely great swashbuckling fairy tale instead of an average parodic sendup of one.

In the first sequence alone the film sells you more on Puss' appeal and that he's truly a legend more than the entire first film did. And then in its second action scene to immediately tear that apart and deconstruct it, that that reckless fearlessness was its own firm of cowardice, and that without it Puss is pathetic? To deconstruct the very achetype Puss was made to parody and in doing so propel him to being an actually great example of it instead of just coasting on Banderas' charisma? It's fantastic, and all the characters are equally sharp.

Banderas owns this material, but Hayek who I thought was only serviceable in the first film really picks up her game to match him in this one. She feels more lived in, hitting the sensitive and vulnerable notes as well as the strong and suave ones to perfection. Guillen has been one of my breakout stars over the last few years and shows why as comic relief that is never obnoxious and the heart of the film that's never cloying or unearned. And throw in the antagonists- three groups the film balances perfectly- that run the gamut from Moura's terrifying force of nature to the charming and sympathetic Goldilocks and her Bear family to Mulaney's unrepentantly evil and loving it Jack, and you have a perfect cast of characters.

The world itself pulls in you as well, for the first time not being an anything goes vehicle of parody like Shrek or a slightly lifeless and generic sendup of Zorro-style Mexico, but instead a world with a breathtaking identity of its own. While taking cues from Spider Verse's visuals, it tweaks them to perfectly capture the larger than life and fantastically vibrant awe of a fairy tale. It doesn't look like any other animated movie like Shrek did in its later years, or like Puss in Boots did to muted response. This is the film that justifies more stories in this world, because it finally feels lived in and invested in, not as meta jokes or deconstructions of genre but as s setting in of itself. Even side characters like the Serpent Sisters have such charming designs, performances, and lively animation that I want to see more of it. It's fascinating to think what a Shrek film could possibly look like under this new vision, and for the first time, I'm interested in seeing why.

Balancing winning humor, well crafted themes, and excellent drama and characterization, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish exceeded my expectations. From the trailers, I noted the Spider-Verse influence and thought it would be a similar visual feast, but would probably miss that film's passion in other areas. What I got instead was that passion to spare, and one of my favorite films of the year.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish had a lot to live up to as most of my critic and casual friends have been praising the film, and for the most part the film delivers.

From the opening frames, the unique art style fills the screen and is incredibly captivating. There is some excellent combination of 3D animation with 2D styles that I have not seen before. The combat frame rate shift was also a nice touch that worked better than I was expecting. Action was top notch with some incredible set pieces and superb choreography.

The Last Wish deals with some pretty heavy themes for an animated children's movie. Death is something that all humans will have to face which was handled in such a nuanced and mature way here. From panic attacks to haunting imagery, death looms large throughout the entire film and serves as a menacing villain. The journey our heroes take to confront this fear is very heartwarming and will resonant with most audience members.

With most DreamWorks pictures, the comedy is targeted at both children and adults. I did find myself laughing out loud at plenty of jokes, but just as many landed flat for me. This would be more of an issue, but this is an incredibly balanced film with great action and dramatic moments that leave little room for a few flat jokes to make a large impact on my experience.

I genuinely believe that this movie has restored the Shrek universe and can propel the future projects upward. Hype has officially been restored for Shrek 5!

Score: 86%
Verdict: Great

Really good movie better then the first. I loved the beard it was pretty funny looking. The storyline was way better then part one.

This one sort of slipped through the cracks didn't it? I mean, it has a very good, very heartwarming story that helps define a character's growth over the length of the plot. It has a story about hope and sacrifice and struggle.

It is a good movie.

How does a movie this good get made today? Isn't this sort of the opposite of everything that current Hollywood stands for?

Where is the strong female lead replacing Puss in Boots as the hero? Where are the identity politics? Where is the nonstop shaming of Straight White Men? Where is the depiction of half the country as absolute evil?

How can they make a western movie that doesn't shame the west at every possible turn?

I have absolutely no idea how this could have been made, but what I can say is that it is fantastic, it is moving, it is fun for the whole family and it has a decent nonpolitical message. The main character is heroic. This is just... well, this is a movie that doesn't seem like it could possibly be made in today's Hollywood.

I can't think for a minute that this would have worked at all, had it not for been for the entertainingly over-the-top voice talents of Antonio Banderas in the title roll. His cat is a sort of combination of Cyrano de Bergerac and Casanova - full of flair, dashing and adept with his flourishing blade. Until, that is, he has a run-in with a church bell that brings him face to face with his mortality. He has only one of his nine lives left, and death is poised to come claim him! Shattered, he seeks refuge in a home for cats where he encounters "Perrito" - a small, naive and lost little dog who is determined to befriend him. Meantime, the not so little "Jack Horner" and "Goldilocks" and her three bears are looking for a map that will guide them to a wishing star that, well, it does what it says on the tin. The bears decide to track down our eponymous hero to help them procure it, but he and his feline rival "Kitty" (and their new doggy pal) decide to join forces and must face a series of tortuous escapades in the race to succeed in their quest. It must be 45 years since I last read the "Goldilocks" story and try as I might, I just couldn't remember it as it gradually evolves as one of the threads of this enjoyably crafted montage of fable and charisma. It's pretty action packed with Banderas proving his singing hasn't really improved much since "Evita" (1996). It's a family movie for sure with messages of loyalty, affection, determination etc.; but there is still enough in the dialogue for those older folks in the auditorium to raise a smile and keep it interesting for 100 minutes. The animation is super and this character driven adventure is well worth seeing on a big screen if you can. Maybe not one for tiny kids - but for us bigger ones, this is fun.