The newest film from Dreamworks’ “Shrek” universe has caught many by surprise and taken the internet by storm. “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” was released in theaters on December 21, 2022 and has been receiving rave reviews since. Dreamworks has been out of the spotlight in recent years. This release is clearly the introduction to a new era for them, especially with a fresh and exciting new version of their iconic opening of the boy on the moon. “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” is splendid from top to bottom. The dynamic characters, flawless animation, and wholesome takeaways prove that the film’s ravenous supporters are seeing things clearly.

The plot of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” feels like a true journey. The viewer is told a solid comeback story. Puss’ progress can be seen both internally and externally as he’s required to face his demons and attempt to return to his true form. There are times where it really seems like hope is lost or that a character’s luck has run out, but of course in the end, it is made clear that it was all part of a larger scheme. The ending could be seen as a disappointment, but in reality it was proper and satisfying. The only reason the conclusion could be seen as ineffective is because of the ride the viewer is taken on. With all of the ups and downs, twists and turns, there is a feeling that something else is to come. One last twist, perhaps. Maybe a not-so-happy ending. In hindsight, that yearning for more was nothing but sadness that a beautiful experience was over. An integral part of that experience was the film’s animation.

This film was visually spectacular. You probably couldn’t ask for much more. Each scene and character was properly designed down to the finest details. The emphasis on cuteness was constantly apparent with the intricate array of facial expressions. “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” may be set apart most by its action scenes. The movie had several mesmerizing fight scenes. Showing the viewer angles and filters that they could have never imagined. If you had to imagine, it could be described as a combination of “Coco,” “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse,” and “Attack On Titan.” A visual treat that supports a great story and its characters in the best way. 

The analysis of the characters should begin with Puss. The larger than life cat shines off the jump, but is quickly humbled. Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of Puss and once again does a phenomenal job of portraying the smoothest feline in the game. However, Puss’ humbling gave Banderas the opportunity to work in a more somber sexiness. It is impossible to tell if this was a challenge for Banderas or not because he did not skip a beat and Puss’ maturity added a great amount to the movie.

Puss’ ex-fiance, Kitty Softpaws, returned as another strong character. Kitty’s badass nature significantly contributed to the well roundedness of the film. The tuxedo cat, voiced by Salma Hayak, is defensive and closed off. However, Kitty is shown to be very insightful and emotionally mature as the story progresses. 

A dog, referred to as Perrito, rounds out the main trio of the movie. The voice of Harvey Guillén perfectly fits this adorable mut. Perrito is overwhelmingly cute, positive, and forgiving for the entirety of the film. The pure hope that this dog instills seems to be a trap, an attempt to lead the audience astray, but he really is just that cute. 

Lastly, there are a few characters that must be mentioned for being truly horrifying. They are the Big Bad Wolf and Big Jack Horner. Wolf and Jack will haunt your dreams in completely different ways. Big Jack Horner is rancid. The oversized child, voiced by John Mulaney, accurately depicts what would happen if selfishness took human form. He is a constant disturbance of peace and has no forgiving qualities. On the flip side, Wolf is a menacing character that is so stunning he gets a paragraph to himself. 

The Big Bad Wolf, voiced by Wagner Moura, enters the story with the appearance of your everyday bounty hunter. However, he takes on a much more significant role and is the main villain of the film. Wolf knows exactly how to cut to Puss’ core. He shows almost no weakness. Speaks in a slow and terrifying manner. A great villain, marked by his signature whistle. A whistle will make you sweat no matter the situation and serves as a powerful signal of inevitable doom.

When asked to give an overall opinion of the film, University of Minnesota Student Pamela Eau Claire mentioned Wolf. She exclaimed that this movie is