Puss in Boots Review

--Robert Acosta

Cast:
Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots
Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws
Zach Galifianakis as Humpty Dumpty

Plot: An origin story of sorts, Puss in Boots tale does not lack action, love and leche (milk). Follow the beloved feline as he tries to right his wrongs and find true love along the way.

Review: You know this is going to be an interesting review when i'm about to compare the Shrek series with Family Guy. But I am. Out of all the characters in the Shrek series, it wasn't a clear cut choice to give Puss in Boots his own movie, especially since characters like Donkey and even the Gingerbread man may have a little more character. Cleveland from Family Guy probably didn't deserve his own show over Quagmire or Joe, but it happened.

With that in mind, Puss in Boots is a successful spin off with minor hinges. The movie manages to make you forgot that Puss is a Shrek character all while keeping the charm of the Shrek movies. Personally, I think Shrek 2 was the funniest film of the series and Puss in Boots really mirrors that kind of comedy.

What made it so enjoyable was the idea of that the studio, Dreamworks, was going to stick by the same formula that has been laid down over the years for prior movies. Have the story revolve around a few intermingled folktales that everyone know about, like Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill, throw in a small amount of satire and a large amount of adult inuendos and that's how it goes. Once again, it works. It may get lost on kids but it works in enough comedy to satisfy all age groups. Of course for adults, you will realize you're watching a kids movie and there are definitely some dry spots along the way, but that doesn't mean it won't entertain you.

Story somewhat matters in these animation movies. I think that so long as the plot has a rhythm to it, it's fine. Animated movies rely a lot on imaginative stories and less on logical stories. You essentially follow Puss through flashbacks of his kittenhood and his close friendship with Humpty Dumpty (yes, the egg) as they try to gain magic beans to live in a whole new world that you climbed a beanstalk to get to (yes, Jack and the beanstalk).

The movie is in 3D, which caught me a bit off guard, I heard nothing about it being in 3D. Some shots look decent with the 3D, but i'm sure you're just as tired of 3D as we are.

Of course we go to see the movie for Puss but there are other characters that blend in nicely with Puss. Kitty Softpaws, played Salma Hayek, is the love interest of Puss and they've got a nice little Mr. and Ms. Smith kind of relationship going on, a tit for tat kind of relationship. Humpty Dumpty is the long lost friend who was once very close to Puss but faded with time. Jack and Jill (yes, the very same Jack and Jill) are the villains, only trying to hold on to the magic beans that everyone covets.

Overall, Puss in Boots is a solid animated comedy/action movie. Fans of the Shrek series will love it, new fans jumping on board will pleased. It's a bit fast paced and at times illogical, it truly is a movie for all ages.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5