2022 was a year of epic movie releases, with the return of James Cameron’s “Avatar” sequel, the highest-grossing film with a box office of 2.1 billion dollars, as well as the highly anticipated follow-up to the 80s classic, “Top Gun.” Amidst all these blockbusters was a more discrete option: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”

As the sixth installment of the already well-established Shrek cinematic universe, this sequel follows the legendary feline hero, Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas), on his quest to find the wishing well and regain the eight lives he lost. The film boasts impressive visual effects and a compelling plot, complete with dynamic characters, which left me eager to delve deeper into the franchise. 

One standout sequence in the movie is the opening action scene where Puss gracefully navigates around a giant monster, dodging and weaving his attacks until he ultimately triumphs. The animation style during this scene shifts from the hyper-realistic style found in most movies to a more intricate, frame-by-frame, comic book-like style, which adds versatility and visual interest to the film. In addition to its innovative animation style, the film introduces new and exciting characters.

Puss is joined on his journey by Perro (voiced by Harvey Guillen), a cheerful yet sometimes irritating sidekick. Although Perro’s voice may be grating, his innocence and love for friendship provide a nice contrast to Puss’s reputation as a notorious outlaw. The film also sees the return of Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek), Puss’s primary love interest, and the introduction of the evil Jack Horner (voiced by John Mulaney), who races Puss to the wishing star. Another new addition to the cast is Goldilocks (voiced by Florence Pugh) and the three bears: Baby Bear (voiced by Samson Kayo), Mama Bear (voiced by Olivia Colman), and Papa Bear (voiced by Ray Winstone), who bring a cute family dynamic and constant bickering to the film. But perhaps the most unique and captivating character is the main antagonist, Death. 

Death (voiced by Wagner Moura) is one of the most intriguing and fearsome villains in recent animated movie history, as his goal is to hunt down Puss for avoiding death with his nine lives. Every time he appears, marked by his iconic whistling theme, he creates a sense of fear and tension in both children and adults. Beyond the thrilling action and intense themes, Death serves as a poignant reminder of our own mortality and the importance of living life to its fullest. 

While it may not have received as much hype as other films, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a fantastic movie that can be enjoyed by all audiences, and is currently available for streaming on Peacock.🔳