Puss in Boots: A Sequel That Strikes Gold
Eleven years after the original charmed audiences, DreamWorks’ family-friendly animated feature, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, has finally graced our screens. After a successful two-month run in China, the film has largely avoided the “sequel slump” that plagues many franchises. In fact, The Last Wish has garnered higher ratings and more enthusiastic discussions than its predecessor.
This success may stem from the film’s ability to retain the heartwarming and endearing qualities of the original while simultaneously imbuing its characters with deeper emotional resonance. Puss, the swashbuckling feline hero beloved by the masses, finds himself facing his own mortality after a near-fatal encounter with a sleeping giant. The doctor informs him that, after several comical brushes with death, he’s down to his last of nine lives. The suggestion? A safe, comfortable retirement. But the ever-confident Puss can’t imagine a life of pampered mediocrity. When the opportunity arises, he embarks on a quest to find the Wishing Star in the Dark Forest, hoping to restore his lost lives and reclaim his legendary status.
A Perilous Quest and the Power of Friendship
The journey is far from easy. Puss faces constant obstacles, including competition from Goldilocks and the Three Bears crime family, the greedy Jack Horner and his baking-themed goons, and the relentless pursuit of Death himself. However, Puss, along with his former flame Kitty Softpaws and his loyal canine companion Perro, form an unlikely “friendship trio” and bravely navigate the dangers ahead, eventually reaching the Wishing Star. It’s only when he holds the Wishing Star that Puss realizes that, more than the desire to regain his lost lives, he has gained something far more valuable: unconditional love, unwavering trust, and the unwavering support of his friends.
From Fairy Tale Origins to a Modern Hero
The character of Puss in Boots evolved from a fairy tale originating in Italy, which later spread throughout Europe. The story tells of an anthropomorphic cat who uses trickery and deception to gain power and wealth, ultimately arranging for a princess to marry his poor and humble master. The Puss in Boots franchise retains the anthropomorphic cat and his cleverness, but transforms the protagonist into a benevolent, justice-seeking, and often adorable hero.
Director Joel Crawford’s passion for blending Westerns and fairy tales is evident in Puss’s design. He sports the classic Western attire – a cowboy hat, cape, heeled boots, and a rapier – combined with Spanish-inspired music, dance, and fight scenes, all of which contribute to Puss’s distinct character and style. For younger viewers, The Last Wish is simply a source of laughter and entertainment.
More Than Just a Kids’ Movie: Exploring Deeper Themes
However, the Puss in Boots series aims for something more profound. Like the best animated films, it seeks to entertain children while also resonating with adults on a deeper level. The Last Wish builds upon the cuteness and charm of the original, using the fairy tale framework to explore more realistic and thought-provoking themes: “Do we really need multiple lives? Is it enough to live just one life to the fullest?” Or, in more relatable terms: Do we choose to pursue the length of life or the quality of life? And do we have the courage to face the inevitability of death? This is where The Last Wish attempts to surpass its predecessor.
Echoes of Other Heroic Journeys
The trope of the aging hero is not new, and has been a common theme in commercial films in recent years. Puss’s decision to embrace love and friendship, rather than remain a solitary figure, is reminiscent of James Bond in No Time to Die, where the retired agent returns to action for his loved ones, not as a cold, calculating machine.
A Realistic Twist
The film also features a clever plot twist: Death, as the main antagonist, willingly disarms himself in the final battle with Puss, implying that Puss does not receive the magic of eternal life. Death may still appear in Puss’s next crisis. In a fairy tale film, the protagonist’s failure to obtain magical enhancement after enduring hardship may also be a reflection of the director’s attempt at a realistic narrative foundation.
Ultimately, when Puss is no longer the invincible Western knight, but possesses both a fear of death and the courage to confront it, the character becomes more complex and relatable. Even for children, it offers a valuable lesson about life.