Who would have thought that a new Puss In Boots movie was the sequel we needed? It was 2011 when we saw this character in cinemas and we did think it was the last time we would have any more connections with the Shrek franchise. Well now, Dreamworks Animation has decided to bring a new adventure to the screen and this time, they have followed the same path as Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse, by delivering different animation styles that give the film a very unique texture, as well as giving us a very funny and surprisingly scary treat for half-term.

Puss in Boots has discovered that his time as an adventurer has left him with eight of his nine lives gone. With death knocking at his door, he decides to take it easy until he finds out about a fallen star, which could restore his life with one wish. with his former partner, Kitty Softpaws wanting the map for the star, as well as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the evil Jack Horner all after the same thing, Puss has got to use his cunning to get there first.

As with previous Shrek movies, the merging of various fairy tales and nursery rhythms are mixed into the pot to create a creative, if sometimes chaotic, experience. Here we have Pus in Boots going up against Goldilocks and the Three Bears, who come across as East End gangsters, with Goldi the leader of the pack, and Jack Horner, a disgruntled owner of a pie business who has a vast collection of magic remnants and wanting the power of every form of magic there is.

However, the simple chase format, as they use a magical map to guild them to the star, which changes every time someone else touches it, allows the animators to play around with various settings, whether it be as dark as it can be, or, whenever Perrito, a dog who dreams of just having a friend to rub his tummy and latches onto Puss and Softpaws, touches the map, everything goes bright and colourful.

Where the film scores high points is the imagination that allows the animators plenty of scopes to experiment. Gone are the 3-D computer-generated characters we have come to expect from most CGI cartoons nowadays. Instead, they have introduced a look of pure artistry. The fur on the bears, for example, looks like they’ve been created by the swish of a paintbrush. They play with speed and even form, as the swashbuckling sequences are given added movement with ghost-like shadows and when death appears, the screen has an eerie quality don’t expect.

The fun doesn’t stop there. The humour is rich with plenty for kids and adults alike. It reminds you of just how clever and funny the original Shrek movie was and how they pushed the boundaries so that jokes landed no matter the viewer. Most of the comedy works extremely well here and it never gets too broad to become shocking, There’s plenty of mileage for the constant banter between Puss and Softpaws, with Perrito playing the Donkey role. Add to that the gags about the life of the bear and Goldi and there is never a dull moment.

The voice talent on show is exceptional. Antonio Banderas returns as the title character, giving his Spanish charm to a role that made Puss as entertaining as anything created for the franchise. Salma Hayek Pinault also returns as the tough, no-nonsense Softpaws. Joining the team as Goldi and the bears are Florence Pugh, Olivia Coleman, Ray Winstone, and Samson Kayo from Our Flag Means Death. Surely a spin-off movie could be made about these characters as they have plenty to offer.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a pleasant surprise. A film packed with everything you would want from an animated feature. Invention, comedy, excitement, and a reinvention of the animated form. Nominated for an Academy Award, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if it won. It’s that good.

4 out of 5

Directors: Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, Harvey Guillén, John Mulaney

Written by: Paul Fisher, (also story) Tommy Swerdlow and (story) Tom Wheeler

Running Time: 102 mins

Cert: PG

Release date: 3rd February 2023