Written by: Gretchen Sims

Content warning: this article contains spoilers 

When “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” came to theaters on Dec. 21, 2022, most people glanced over it — not expecting much from a children’s movie. It has been eleven years since the first spinoff of the Shrek franchise was released, but once the Netflix adaptation became popular, DreamWorks went for that cash cow. 

Starring Antonio Banderas as the voice of Puss in Boots, Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws and Harvey Guillén as Perrito, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” became a smash hit not only for its nostalgia, but also for its revolutionary animation. 

Because of a perceived cash grab, expectations were low for the film, but as soon as audiences were met with the opening scene — a blossoming flower — eyes and ears perked up. The animation style of “The Last Wish” is uncharacteristic of anything we have seen from the Shrek franchise, or even DreamWorks itself, thus far. 

Reminiscent of an Americanized adaptation of the Japanese animation style, the film was filled with action-packed scenes and bright colors that wowed the spectators. 

As is characteristic of a DreamWorks film, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” had the audience roaring in laughter at its witty humor and bawling their eyes out at its touching, heartfelt moments. 

However, art and nostalgia aside, there was one aspect of this film that made it stand out above all others — it’s “better than life” villain. While the main villain of the show, Big Jack Horner, is terrifying in his own right, the secondary villain, Death, is enough to send chills down the spine of a hardened horror veteran — his eerie whistle piercing through the theater like a winter’s wind. 

This movie had the perfect balance between nostalgia, humor, beauty and horror. People of all ages, not just children, should add “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” to their movie watch list. 

8.5/10

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu