Ever since Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) showed his adorable face and fighting spirit in Shrek 2, it was only going to be a matter of time before he got his own movie. Puss in Boots is simple, innocent, and takes the audience on a wild, adventurous journey from Spanish towns to the Giant’s castle in the sky. And if you are a fan of fairy tales (who isn’t) then brace yourself because there are a lot of them in this and some of them aren’t very nice.
Director Chris Miller (Shrek the Third) and Dreamworks Animation know who Puss in Boots is and what made him so lovable in the Shrek films, and they stick to the same formula here. It is clever with mesmerizing animation, and has a great portion of action and humor for kids, their parents, and for those grown-ups who still have an inner-child living inside of them.
Puss’s story begins with him as a quiet kitty cat who finds himself in an orphanage and becomes friends with Humpty Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis). They are outcasts who stick together and always seem to find their way in to trouble. Dumpty was the brains of the operation and Puss put the plan into action. They seem to be the best of friends until Puss becomes a hero and Dumpty is left behind which results in Dumpty betraying his old pal.
Since then Puss has formed the reputation of being an impressive fighter and an even more impressive lover. But it looks like he may have met his match when he has a run-in with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek). She messes things up for him while he tries to steal some magic beans from the Bonnie and Clyde-like Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) that will lead to the Giant’s castle in the clouds where there is a golden goose who lays golden eggs. When Puss tries to get some answers from this mysterious beauty with a mask, he finds out she was sent by Dumpty. Hesitant at first, Puss ends up joining forces with Dumpty and Softpaws to take down Jack and Jill and getting his paws on some gold. This furry Zorro just cannot help himself.
Puss in Boots would have never worked from the beginning if it wasn’t for Banderas and the energy and quick wit he brings to the character. There is great voice work from Hayek and a nice surprise from Galifianakis who gives Dumpty a personality that you could never imagine. But it is Banderas who breathes life in to Puss in Boots and his movie. I mean it is only fitting for the man who played Zorro to voice the cat who would sword fight him any time, any place.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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