Puss in Boots

Jan 18, 2012
By Laurence Boyce

Director: Chris Miller

When you create a character that is really successful, there is always one rule: you need to make as much money out of it as possible. So, after the heroic kitty with cute eyes became one of the highlights of the Shrek franchise, it’s unsurprising that he was picked to head his own movie. “Puss in Boots” shows that there’s certainly enough in him to create a new hero beloved by both children and merchandise executives.

Before he met Shrek, Puss in Boots was a petty thief whose ultimate score was to steal the Magic Beans owned by Jack & Jill. After meeting up with Kitty Softpaws and Humpty Dumpty, the history of “Puss in Boots” is soon revealed. Growing up in an orphanage and becoming ‘brothers’ with Humpty he soon becomes a hero. But after events go wrong, Puss is shunned by the town which once loved him. Now the magic beans represent a chance to get his old life back:  but the road to salvation will be marked by heartache and betrayal.

This wisely doesn’t attempt to tinker with the formula of the Shrek films too much, so there are plenty of familiar ideas at work here (famous fairy tale characters given a modern twist, jokes for the adults to enjoy etc). It creates a sense of familiarity but the film still manages to have some original moments (including a beautifully realized dance sequence between Kitty and Puss and a style that evokes the Western) that ensure we’re not re-treading too much ground. The story rolls along at an impressive pace whilst the voice-acting – from the likes of Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie - is all impressively done. Unsurprisingly, the animation is superb, and those who see it in 3D will undoubtedly be wowed by some of the impressive chase sequences, and kudos must also be given to an impressive score.

Yes, “Puss in Boots” can definitely head up a movie by himself. Shall we look forward to a series of movies starring Donkey next?

SOCIAL BOOKMARKS:   Delicious   Digg   Reddit   Ask   Facebook   MrWong   Netvouz