By Samuel Smith, Opinions Editor
Note: This is a spoiler free review.
Considering one’s own mortality can be a rather scary endeavor. Whether somebody grows into a soldier, a stockbroker, a baker or a writer, the inevitable fact that eventually we will all go has subtly terrified the masses for centuries.
What must be far scarier, however unrealistic the circumstances may be, would be to taste immortality, and to truly feel as if you could elude the grim reaper indefinitely during your exploits, only to be rudely awakened as to your finite existence in the face of danger.
Such a concept is explored in stylized detail by DreamWorks Animation’s newest film, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
Down to his last of nine lives, the titular feline protagonist is left reeling after the realization that his devil-may-care attitude and lack of reverence for his own mortality has left him only one chance to truly live his, all the while struggling to overcome his own fear of death.
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a sequel to the 2011 DreamWorks film, “Puss in Boots,” while both of the films are spinoffs from the famous “Shrek” franchise of movies, with Puss in Boots himself having made his first appearance in “Shrek 2.”
Despite “The Last Wish” being the latest in a series of interconnected movies, the new film stands as its own self-contained story with all pertinent information that could have possibly been gleaned from the preceding animated films being accounted for over the course of the plot. Any further references to the “Shrek” franchise serve as Easter eggs to those that have seen “Shrek,” but easily forgettable and unimportant clips to those that haven’t.
I must admit, while the first two “Shrek” movies are some of my favorites, the rest of the franchise as well as the 2011 “Puss in Boots” left something of a sour taste in my mouth, so I was quite surprised when some friends of mine asked me to see “The Last Wish” with them.
Expecting a lackluster cash-grab of an animated film to make fun of alongside my compatriots, I agreed and we took our seats in the fairly empty theater.
The movie began. I was awestruck.
The animation was no longer an uncanny valley-esque pseudo-realism but instead a stylized, art-driven film. The jokes weren’t throwaway gags that served to fill the scenes and make somebody smirk five percent of the time, they were well thought out and a decent supermajority of them landed with myself as well as those I had arrived with.
The movie was astounding. The characters were alarmingly relatable, despite originating in fairy tales, and some scenes were legitimately chilling.
DreamWorks didn’t tell a story for kids, they simply told a compelling story, with its protagonist undergoing a believable redemption arc alongside troubled supporting characters, all the while treating situations like panic attacks and toxic relationships with the respect those very serious topics deserve.
Most importantly for me however, was the primary antagonist. In order to avoid the risk of spoiling what is easily one of the most enjoyable plot twists I have ever seen in my lifetime, the antagonist of the film was by far the greatest villain I’ve seen in years, animated or otherwise.
Driving home after the movie, my mind was spinning with thoughts of “The Last Wish,” and I cannot emphasize enough how utterly wonderful the film is.
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” managed to bring a thought-dead franchise back to live with a standalone film that is both aesthetically beautiful and narratively beautiful. I rate “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” a 10 out of 10.
Everybody needs to see this movie.
Senior Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn.org
