Puss in Boots: The Last Wish 3D Theatrical Review

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a 2022 animated sequel to the 2011 spin-off film Puss in Boots. In this film, it is revealed that Puss has wasted eight of his nine lives and everyone around him advises that he should quit his dangerous lifestyle of adventure and fighting and instead, try to settle down. But this changes when Puss hears about a wishing star that fell from the sky and can grant the wish of anyone who gets to it first. But before he can start off on his adventure to find it, he discovers he's not the only one after the star. During his quest, he finds himself having to deal with Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Big Jack Horner, an old friend, and a mysterious wolf bounty hunter.

It's been 11 years since we've delved back into the Shrek franchise. And while we might get another adventure with the big green ogre sometime in the coming future, the new tale that Puss in Boots has currently brought us really isn't half bad. Is it by any means on par with the best films from the Shrek universe? Not really. But it still retains the Shrek-esque creativity regarding fairy tales and plenty of fantastic ideas. A bit like the first Puss in Boots film, we are given a fun adventure for the family. But unlike the first Puss in Boots, this film takes the elements that made those films work and builds off of them in a refreshingly deep and surprisingly dark tale that surpasses what you might have expected from this type of film.

There are several main themes running throughout the story. But the most prevalent one involves life and death and learning how to appreciate and make the most of your life. Based on the trailer, you already know this is going to be central to the film's storyline, and it leaves you feeling a little cautious going in due to the seemingly light, cartoonish way its been treated in the trailer. However, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish does actually use this premise in a surprisingly clever way. The film delves into the tragedy of watching Puss having to confront his own mortality, feel fear for the first time, and consider the fact that maybe, his past lives went to waste. I don't want to go too far into this due to the risk of spoilers. But I will say that the way the movie deals with this kind of examination, trying to balance it out with humor while not sugar-coating it in its most harsh moments, is extremely effective. And the way it ties in the with the wolf bounty hunter I mentioned earlier is practically genius.

And that's not the only theme Puss in Boots 2 presents. There are plenty of other subplots going on too. And they all come together in a very satisfying light that bring along a message about being grateful with the life you have. Once again, the use of fairy tales and fairy tales characteristics throughout the story is done in a creative and clever manner, just like what you'd expect from any films taking place in the Shrek universe. But here, the characters' story arcs and the way they revolve around the wishing star have genuinely decent twists and turns that make for a thoroughly engaging story. It's all presented in ways that are honestly much more well-done than you'd expect. Like I said before, I don't want to give out any spoilers, so I'll leave off here.

As far as the humor goes, it's fun and consistent throughout. Even when you know the gags are coming, there're done in subversive and charming ways that even if won't draw a big laugh, can still usually pull out a good chuckle. Yes, the film goes into some dark territory. But that doesn't mean it doesn't knows how to pull a good joke out from time to time. And it's done not in a way that detracts from the story, but helps to round it out, and it's effective. There are a couple of jokes and/or lines in my opinion that could stand to be a bit rewritten. But they don't by any means take away much from the humor of the film as a whole.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a film that works on many different levels. It has plenty of light-hearted fun, great visuals, a cleverly created adventure, and it doesn't shy away from the it's darker moments. Kids will enjoy watching fairy tales be put up on the big screen in new creative lights, and teens and adults can appreciate the way they do so and dig on the themes the film leaves for older audiences. Ultimately, it's a well rounded and entertaining animated film the whole family can see. I honestly didn't really come prepared to say that Puss in Boots 2 might be a shoo-in at the Oscars this year for the award of Best Animated Feature. But with Disney sorely missing the mark with "Strange World" and "Lightyear," and with how surprisingly good this movie is, I wouldn't be the least mad if it won by a long shot. If you haven't already seen it, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the animated film to take the kids to this holiday season, and it will hopefully leave you a bit optimistic about the quite possibly upcoming Shrek 5.

OVERALL FILM RATING: 4/5

Like I said in my article 6 More Movies That Should've Gotten a Home Media Release from a few days ago, if there's any company that knows how to make a good animated 3D film, it's Dreamworks. They've been in the game since the release of How To Train Your Dragon and to my knowledge, have never had a drop in quality in terms of 3D throughout their run of 3D films. Even Shrek: Forever After, who's 3D was panned by Cinemablend, was still a very fun outing. Dreamworks has made great 3D the rule instead of the exception. So as expected, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish follows very fondly in that trend, and brings us another 3D treat that must be cherished.

The depth throughout the presentation of Puss in Boots 2 is simply outstanding. The opening shot features a vortex clouds forming in the sky and a star coming into being and soon falling to earth that looks spectacular in 3D. When it does land on earth, the forests surrounding it carries decent shape and size, and the beam we see from the star on the ground goes up into the sky. Throughout the film, whether it's the distance between hills and mountains or scenes involving large towns, the dimensions given are lifelike and they make the settings feel big and grand. When Puss is partying with a group of people at the beginning of the film, everybody is in their own 3D space, allowing for some fun 3D views and composition, and there are even a few shots looking down from a balcony at one point. Even more mundane scenes like the inside of Mama Luna's house maintain good space, which in some shots, can put you down as low as the cats. Elsewhere, there's also a creative 3D shot involving a mirror at a bar at one point.

In the black forest where the wishing star lies, the depth doesn't let up. Right outside, we're treated to a portal leading inside the forest that appears very flat at first, until you go in and fly through a brief light tunnel. Once we get into the forest itself, we get everything from distant hills of flowers and giant poppies to views of volcanoes and lava-ridden grounds with barren trees sticking out of them, all usually stretching deep into the background. And even if the view is of only just an average forest, the animation style and vibrant colors still make it a wonder to see in the third dimension. There are some shots looking down from really high trees, some shots inside a tree home, scenes of characters going down a river, scenes involving varying levels of ground at different heights, glass mountains, caves inside said glass mountains that feature some interesting 3D crystal designs, and the climax at the star features a very deep crater and some interesting fire effects that serve very well in 3D. Parts where the landscape changes to fit the character's struggles are also great examples of how well the 3D is used here.

Of course, the 3D is at its best during the action sequences, and the ones offered by Puss in Boots 2 really knock it out of the park. The fight with the giant monster in the town offers of the best usage of 3D in the movie, with stop-motion-like effects (similar to the kind from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) of the creature coming towards us, Puss climbing and swinging all over him in mesmerizing ways, a bell from the local bell tower flying around, and of course, Puss's sword flying right at you. When the bell comes and hits the monster, you'll certainly flinch, and soon be treated to some three-dimensional shockwaves spreading through the town. And it's not just that one moment that shines. Scenes with the bounty hunter wolf and fights with Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and a few involving Big Jack Horner all use the 3D in interesting ways. From characters charging towards the screen to characters holding out surreal-shaped weapons like axes, staffs, and swords to everyone swinging around the frame to the way the animation will change in the background (once again, Spider-Verse style) to fit the action going on in the foreground all make these moments shine in 3D glory.

As far as pop outs go, they aren't quite as consistent as other films that exist. But the ones that do exist are well-worth talking about. As mentioned, the swords and weapons flying around the screen during the action are very apparent. We also have surreal-shaped characters such as the wolf from earlier with his nose sticking out, making his presence all the more intimidating, and the dog Perrido with his big bulgy eyes. We also have leaves, rain, plants, cats, surrounding objects, and all the works. Are they all done quite as impressively as other films have done prior? Not really. But if you come to Puss in Boots looking for pop outs, you will not be disappointed.

As you can tell from the poster below, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was made to shine in 3D, and it does so accordingly. Usually, I'm the type of guy who tends to take their glasses on and off throughout the movie to check on the parallax every 10-15 seconds. However, I remember thinking that throughout Puss in Boots 2, I hardly ever did that. There's just so much 3D eye candy going on with strong depth from beginning to end that it all had me glued to the screen and thoroughly engaged. What better praise can you give a 3D film? Now once again, this film might not be quite looked up as a 3D Dreamworks masterpiece. But that's only because the company has put the bar so high. By any other animated film standards, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish delivers another top-notch, absolutely fantastic 3D experience. And just like Avatar: The Way of Water from last week, this is a film I wish would get a 3D Blu-ray put out of it when it hits home media.

3D RATING: GREAT

Other sources that review this movie's 3D:

Real Future Pictures's Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBB32OJZ8RU

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a very pleasant surprise from Dreamworks. What looks from the trailers as just another mindless sequel to a long put-away IP from 11 years ago is actually very thoughtful and explores the full potentials of its premise, no matter how dark it gets. Chris Meledandri is an executive producer on this film, which probably helps to explain its more cutesy design and occasional jokes that don't land. But he doesn't take away from Dreamwork's ability to create a cleverly made and well-rounded story. In fact, he might've helped to contribute to it, though I honestly don't know. In a world where Trolls and The Boss Baby are the face of Dreamworks now, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish almost seems like a miracle. And while it's not a perfect film, it is still a very solid flick and well worth a watch from kids and adults. It's a bit disappointing Disney has dropped the ball with Lightyear and Strange World from earlier this year, making Puss in Boots 2 possibly the official best animated film of the year. But quite honestly, the film gets so many things right and does so many things more than you'd expect that it deserves to be recognized in some way. What more can I say? Take the fam this Christmas season and see what Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has to offer. And while you're at it, getting a 3D showing is a must. With all the action, enormous backgrounds, surreal designs, and unique animation techniques the film uses, to see it in 2D would be an absolute shame. In 3D, the film is an engaging experience all around. Once again, it might not be another Dreamworks 3D masterpiece. But there's no denying that you can't go wrong with a 3D flick from that company. And Puss in Boots 2 is a perfect example of that. Now, if you're a die-hard 3D fan and you currently have the opportunity to see only one 3D movie this Christmas, and you haven't already seen Avatar 2, than by all means do see Avatar 2. But if you're looking for a 3D flick for your entire family and aren't in the mood of seeing someone's arm get severed, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is certainly the 3D outing for you.

DID YOU LIKE "PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH" IN 3D

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