10 Reasons Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Is the Sequel We Didn't Know We Wanted

Top 10 Reasons Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the Sequel We Didn't Know We Wanted

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Reasons Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the Sequel We Didn’t Know We Wanted.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the sequel that wasn’t exactly brought to us by popular demand, but exceeded every expectation, even getting an Oscar nomination.

Were you surprised by “The Last Wish?” Let us know in the comments.

#10: Deep Down, We’ve Wanted Another “Shrek” Movie For a While

The first “Puss in Boots” spinoff came out in 2011 while “Shrek Forever After” hit theaters in 2010. Save “The Adventures of Puss in Boots” TV show, this franchise has primarily lived in meme form for over a decade. And yet, the passion for the Oscar-winning original “Shrek” and the record-breaking “Shrek 2” has endured. Considering that this series started so strong, it was a shame to watch it fizzle out and then go far, far away. Although we weren’t begging DreamWorks to make another film set in this universe, these characters have always meant a lot to us. “The Last Wish” feels like catching up with a friend you hadn’t thought about in a while, suddenly remembering how awesome they could be.

#9: It’s a Sequel That Keeps You Coming Back

In 2007, “Shrek the Third” opened huge, but its audience attendance significantly dropped with each passing weekend. “The Last Wish” has performed more like the original “Shrek.” Both started off with solid numbers, but positive word of mouth would continue to attract new fans throughout the ensuing weeks. Like “Shrek,” “The Last Wish” also warrants repeat viewings with so many little details and fast-paced jokes that you likely missed the first time. “The Last Wish” had so much going against it theatrically, opening alongside “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Even after it was made available on demand, though, “The Lash Wish” continued to bring people to the theater. Whether it’s your first, second, or third viewing, you always walk away with something new.

#8: The Clever Use of Fairy Tale Tropes

“Shrek” might not have been the first film to make fun of fairy tales, but it remains the gold standard. “Puss in Boots” continues this tradition with some of the franchise’s most inspired send-ups. Turning the Three Bears into a crime family with Goldilocks as their adopted daughter is loaded with comedic possibilities, but their family dynamic leads to some surprisingly touching moments as well. Growing up with the Little Jack Horner nursery rhyme, we never imagined a former child star turned sadistic crime boss. Now we’ll forever associate him with the worst type of nepotism baby. Horner’s bottomless bag of magical items also leads to an assortment of inventive in-jokes, many of which come at Disney’s expense while crushing Not-Jiminy Cricket’s faith in humanity.

#7: A Sequel Accessible to Newcomers

Being a sequel to a spinoff, one would assume that “The Last Wish” requires knowledge of all the other films. There are several references to the “Shrek” movies that longtime fans will appreciate. On the whole, however, the film works as a standalone story with fresh settings, ideas, and arcs. Even dynamics that carry over from previous movies, such as Puss’ relationship with Kitty Softpaws, are easy enough for any newbie to follow. Considering that entire generations have been born since the first “Puss in Boots,” it makes sense for this sequel to be more self-contained for younger audiences that might not have grown up with the “Shrek” films. Once they’ve seen “The Last Wish,” they’ll want to catch up with this franchise.

#6: A Winning New Cast

Outside of Antonio Banderas as Puss and Salma Hayek Pinault as Kitty, “The Last Wish” primarily focuses on a new cast of characters with each major player leaving a lasting impression. It sounds strange, but it feels like Florence Pugh’s entire career has been building towards playing a badass Goldilocks. In a lesser film, a scrappy sidekick like Perrito easily could’ve come off as annoying. However, Harvey Guillén’s delivery is adorable and hilarious with room for a few heart-melting moments. Even Kevin McCann’s Ethical Bug, whose presence initially seems like a throwaway gag, evolves into an important part of the story with some of the film’s funniest reactions. Just as Puss got a spinoff, we could imagine any of these characters doing the same.

#5: A Return to Menacing Villains

In most modern animated films, villains usually have sympathetic backstories and are redeemed by the end. There isn’t anything wrong with that, but we admittedly miss old-school villains who were bad simply because they enjoyed it. John Mulaney’s Jack Horner harkens back to the glory days when animated baddies could be funny, stylish, and straight-up heartless without ever learning anything. Wagner Moura’s Wolf is the most intimidating antagonist we’ve seen in a long time with a sinister voice and a hair-raising design. While the Wolf isn’t exactly a sympathetic villain, his reason for pursuing Puss provides a fascinating outlook on death. Once Puss accepts death, the Wolf feels less like an enemy and more like an essential part of life, albeit one that’s still threatening.

#4: Balancing Heart with Humor

The first two “Shrek” movies had the ideal mix of edgy comedy and sincerity. As the series went on, its heart took a backseat to hit-and-miss pop culture references. “The Last Wish” is a return to form, delivering the franchise’s funniest and most heartfelt entry since 2004. The humor feels modern yet timeless. Where most contemporary animated comedies play it too safe, “The Last Wish” isn’t afraid to go dark and even mean-spirited with some jokes, but it never goes too far. The laughs are anchored by lovable characters and a powerful message about what’s worth fighting for in life. As heavy-handed as the lessons are, they don’t overshadow the comedy and vice versa, finding a balance that Goldi would describe as “just right.”

#3: Bringing New Layers to a Familiar Character

Although we enjoyed the first “Puss in Boots” movie, it essentially gave audiences what they expected without really taking the titular character to uncharted territory. “The Last Wish” takes the character to new depths, unearthing layers that we never imagined were there. Puss is still the dashing, debonair swashbuckler we love, but “The Last Wish” forces him to confront the notion that nothing lasts forever. His fear of death is relatable and the film’s authentic portrayal of anxiety shines a much-needed light on mental health. Puss in Boots might seem like an unusual source for these themes, but this franchise is about not judging books by their cover. An ogre can win the world over and a talking cat can make you evaluate your mortality.

#2: Next-Level Animation

While the character designs are faithful to past films, the visuals of “The Last Wish” put less emphasis on realism, taking a more stylistic approach. Like DreamWorks’ previous outing, “The Bad Guys,” the filmmakers clearly took a cue from “Into the Spider-Verse.” Instead of a comic book brought to life, though, production designer Nate Wragg envisioned a storybook with illustrations flying off the pages. “Spider-Verse” wasn’t the only inspiration for the film’s mix of 2D and 3D visuals. Director Joel Crawford grew up with the 1988 anime classic “Akira,” injecting “The Last Wish” with a similar explosive aesthetic. Like “Spider-Verse” and “Akira,” “That Last Wish” pushes the medium in a bold new direction, marking a significant turning point in the evolution of animation.

#1: A Film About Death Breathes New Life into the Franchise

On the heels of some disappointing sequels and franchise fatigue, “Shrek” appeared to be dead in the water. “The Last Wish” resurrects the series, but not purely for the sake of cashing in on a familiar IP. Watching this sequel, you can tell that there was not only an enormous amount of respect for its predecessors, but a genuine drive to build upon everything, from the comedy, to the animation, to the drama. At the center is a rich moral about making the most of the time you have left. We’re not sure how much life remains in this series, but if “The Last Wish” is any indication, there’s a lot more that can be done with these characters and we’re all-in for the Shrekinsurance.