‘Puss in Boots’ a purr-fect update

If you were expecting the sequel “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” to be comparable to the original 2011 “Puss in Boots” movie, then you are sure to be satisfied.

The Dreamworks animated film ‘The Last Wish’ was released to theaters in December. It shows Puss in Boots, along with other fairytale creatures, clashing for the map that leads to the fallen star that will grant one wish to its finder.

This movie is a deep dive into Puss’s mind and inability to face his mortality. Down to his ninth and final life, he ventures to find the fallen star, needing the wish to get all his lost lives back in order to escape death.

In the original, Puss in Boots is a skilled fighter who was never afraid but in the sequel he is more troubled than ever before. He faces real death, and for the first time it scares him. This is what motivates him to get that wish: He wants to have his old life back as the strong and mighty Puss in Boots.

Truly, Puss laughed in the face of death for many of his earlier lives and his arrogance got him to his very last remaining life. Death sat back and watched him waste away his eight lives, having no appreciation for life itself, and this angers Death. He wants to end Puss’s ungratefulness and to kill him. I don’t think that Death approves of the fearlessness that Puss showed in his past lives, and he now enjoys instilling fear into him.

The map leads everyone into the Dark Forest where the characters all face different challenges in trying to reach the star. On the journey, Puss in Boots is forced to face danger and, in turn, real death.

Nearing the end of the movie a final battle breaks out, deciding who will be the one granted the magical wish. After defeating Jack Horner, Puss in Boots is faced off with Death himself. This is where Puss is faced with a big decision – he can either use the wish and get his lives back or he can fight and defeat Death.

Throughout the movie, Puss’s best friend is a small dog, named Perrito. This dog is by far the best character in the show. He demonstrates character development and personal growth while helping his friends on their journey. Perrito is an orphan dog and had no one that truly loved him his entire life. Immediately playing off the audience’s emotions, he quickly becomes a fan favorite.

In the end, Puss in Boots’s personal takeaway is to be much more appreciative of his “life” – each and every one of them. Kitty Softpaws gets her wish and finds someone she can truly trust. Perrito makes friends and finds people he loves, and that love him. Goldi is finally accepting of her family with the three bears.

Overall, this movie is adorable and relatable for the audience, making it a total hit. Many remakes or sequels of past movies I’ve seen have done an unjust job in keeping up to par with the original version. In this instance, the sequel is done very well. I rate Puss in Boots: The Last Wish an 8/10.