It’s the start of a brand-new year, which means we’re in the driest month of 2023 cinema, as the big studios generally dump their worst offerings in January (if they release any movies at all). What’s a movie fan to do? Well, if you’re a young adult with no children (like me), Puss in Boots: The Last Wish probably slipped under your radar, but the good news is it’s still available in theaters. Did I just recommend that you go watch a sequel to a spinoff from the long-stagnated Shrek series? Why yes, incredulous reader, I did, and here’s 5 reasons why you would enjoy it.
It’s 95% on Rotten Tomatoes
If you Googled Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, you’d probably think Rotten Tomatoes was broken after seeing a 95% score from critics. That’s shockingly high for a spinoff to a series that hasn’t been great since 2004’s Shrek 2. If seeing “2004” makes you feel old, than you’re also old enough to remember the moment Shrek’s gold turned to garbage with Shrek 3 and only got more forgettable from there. Surprisingly, The Last Wish delivers a solid entry thanks to sharp writing, eye-catching animation, and standout voice talent. Antonio Banderas is living his best life as Puss in Boots, and has fully nailed the comedic tone of his fearless feline. Comedian John Mulaney was my other favorite as new character Little Jack Horner who is as hilarious as he is repugnant, thanks to Mulaney’s perfect timing and delivery. Perrito the therapy dog came on a little strong initially but grew on me too- honestly everyone hits their target here.
No Movie Homework Needed
The best news of all is you don’t need to worry about catching up on Shrek the Halls or Shrek 4 (did you even remember they made those??) to jump into Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Heck, you don’t even need to watch the okay-but-mostly-forgettable original Puss in Boots movie. The Last Wish is refreshingly standalone, with the only other returning character being Salma Hayek’s Kitty Softpaws from the first Puss in Boots, but the only takeaway from that film is she’s a competitor cat burglar and sometimes love interest to Puss, and the sequel rehashes those surface-level details. And yes, her and Banderas are still great together.
It’s Better Than Disney
Usually, Pixar and Disney rule the animation game, but as you probably have heard, 2022 has been a rough year for the Mouse House. With box-office bombs Lightyear and Strange World, Disney has been losing both money and public goodwill. Unlike Pixar’s Lightyear, Puss in Boots 2 isn’t just a soulless cash-in, and it’s not a weird new take on a character that replaces the lead actor. Disney Animation Studio’s Strange World was a bland mess of everything currently wrong with Disney, and audiences responded by keeping their wallets closed. For comparison, Strange World only made $67.5 million total box office on a budget of $180 million (plus marketing), while Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has currently earned $134 million on a $90 million budget after less than two weeks. Strange world, indeed.
Meaningful Themes
You could point to a lot of reasons why DreamWorks/Universal Studiosbeat out Disney this year in the animation game, but a big reason is Puss in Boots 2 manages to be both entertainingly funny while delivering a surprisingly adult message. While Strange World was a predictable mish-mash of contemporary American corporate preachiness, The Last Wish focuses on more universal human themes such as how mortality makes our lives something worth treasuring, with our life also better shared with those around us. Yeah, it’s a big departure from Minions screaming gibberish at each other or the abomination we know as Trolls.
Ticket Sales Reward Good Movies
Finally, since they’re all about being financially successful, studios care much more about box office totals than positive critic scores. If you want more well-crafted gems like The Last Wish, take a break from the dreary January weather, grab a refreshing glass of leche, and show some support at the theater!
Jason Talks Movies 