DreamWorks Animation is known for creating winning films for a global audience such as, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and especially Shrek. After the finale of the Shrek franchise in 2010, the company decided to keep interest in audiences by releasing a spin-off movie centering a fan favorite character Puss. The film was a booming success but as a series showed little promise, especially after nearly 11 years of no strong squeal. However, viewers quickly took to the idea of, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish not just because of the charismatic cat but the animation style of which showed major improvement. Ratings exhibit such opinions with the ranking of 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Going into the movie the bar was set high and needless to say, they delivered.

Staring the story, we find Puss who seemingly hasn’t done much after the fourth Shrek; returning to his life as a hero and “party-animal”. His incessant partying and showmanship leads to many deaths, as cats have 9, he is usually unfazed by such an event until he realizes he is on his 9th life. The impending doom of his mortality makes the once fearless cat, anxious. With only one goal in mind, Puss ventures to find the sought-after wishing star to regain his lives. 

If one were to the theaters solely based off the marking, many would be surprised by just how dark the movie gets as well as the topics they discuss. Mental health is introduced as Boots, the larger-than-life character is beaten down to a frigid and tense mess within the first half hour. The meaning of life itself is questioned in the cartoon, and astounded older audiences in its maturity. More specifically, the film’s antagonist. When we are first introduced to the wolf, as the incarnation of death, he explains his annoyance in Puss’s arrogance when wasting his lives away. Leading to the main conflict, being the hunting of Puss in Boots by Death, the unfazed character announces his presence in a somber whisper. Creepy to say the least but incredibly daunting is his swiftness and powerful manner in combat. Such writing and atmosphere was surprising to experience within the often joke able Shrek universe.

To say DreamWorks outdid themselves would be an understatement, the stylistic animation, showing influences in comics and even anime carry the beautifully written manuscript of life, deep enough for older fanatics to enjoy but simplistic enough to be understood by children. Even the comedic stance often breaking the awe was pleasant. Overall, the feature is more than well done and deserving of both a watch and respect.