Review: Puss In Boots

'Puss In Boots' has been out in theatres for a few weeks already, but with schedules and to-do lists being what they are, I only recently got to take my boys to see it. 

If you're a fan of the 'Shrek' series, you'll remember Puss was introduced in the second film as an assassin hired to take out Mike Myers' green-skinned alter ego.  Despite the bumpy start to their relationship, Puss quickly became a staunch ally and friend of Shrek, Donkey and Fiona through the rest of the series.

Indeed, I often found Puss one of the more enjoyable characters from the Shrek films, so I was rather pleased when I heard plans were underway for his own vehicle.

In what's treated as both a spin-off and prequel, the film introduces us to the titular character long before he encounters anyone from the lands of Far, Far Away. Indeed, there is little similarity to the movie character and his original incarnation in the 17th century fairy tale by French writer Charles Perrault.  In that story, a poor boy inherits a cat who connives and steals in order to gain wealth and power -- and a princess' hand in marriage -- for his benevolent master. 

Alternatively in the film, we discover (through flashbacks) how baby -- and bootless -- Puss arrives at the doorstep of a kindly woman who runs an orphanage and becomes close friends with none other than Humpty Dumpty.

Though the two become 'brothers,' it becomes quickly apparent that Puss wishes to do good, while his hard-boiled friend seeks reckless dangers and get rich quick schemes.  A betrayal splits the two and brings us back to present day, where Humpty slips back into Puss' life with a deal to help their old town regain something its lost.

Without spoiling too much, Humpty's plans are not all what they seem.

With Antonio Banderas reprising his role as the voice of the titular Puss, the film has a bit of a Latino/Southwestern flair to it.  A large portion of the film takes place in towns and locations that could have easily been lifted from 19th century Mexico.  Honestly, it was nice to see the action take place outside of the lands of Far, Far Away and with really almost no connection to the other films (which IMO have truly run their course).
 
In fact, the only thing that binds this new film to the Shrek series is the use of a couple of previously unused fairy tale elements and characters.

Billy Bob Thornton and the extremely underrated Amy Sedaris portray roughneck villains Jack & Jill (I guess fetching pails of water wasn't lucrative enough). Zach Galifianakis (unnecessarily) lends his vocals to Humpty and Salma Hayek rounds the cast out as Kitty Softpaws, a new character and a literal 'cat thief.'  Kitty is both a match for Puss and the love interest -- which of course brings up the tired old question: why do they insist on shoving romance into these kids movies?  If they think it's for the benefit of the adults, trust me: it's not necessary.  Give me a fun romp of a film and romance only when the story calls for it. 

Mushy stuff aside, it's a fun adventure with a couple of twists and turns, some predictable, others not so obvious.  I'd go so far as to say I'd be up to see the further adventures of Puss In Boots -- which you know someone over in the offices of DreamWorks animation is no doubt already cooking up. 

I personally wouldn't bother with seeing it in 3D (which is really getting played out at this point), but try telling a couple of seven-year old twins that.

Speaking of which -- I asked my boys if they wanted to 'review' the film.  So here's what they said (Some Spoilers -- be warned):

Me: So did you guys like the movie?

Aidan: Yeah.  I liked it better than most of the Shrek movies.

Matty: It was like a thousand points better than the Shrek movies.  There was some more action levels.

Me: If one of your friends in school didn't see it yet, what would you tell them?

Aidan: I would tell them to go see it because it's awesome.

Matty: Yeah.  I would tell them they should go see it.

Me: What was your favorite part of the movie?

Aidan: What I liked about the best was the giant goose. 

Matty: My favorite part was when Kitty Softpaws kept stealing Puss in Boots' stuff!

Me: Was there anything you didn't like?

Matty: No, it was all good.

Aidan: There was nothing bad about the movie.  Maybe the romance.  But it was okay.

(Did you catch Puss in Boots?  What did you think?)