Thank you Shrek for not only taking a back seat
but for not even showing up.
After the enormously disappointing last two Shrek films, his absence from the feature-length Puss In Boots, reminded me of the last major election when all Republican candidates distanced themselves far from the horrid George W. Bush endorsement. Heck, they didn't want to be even seen with him.
Puss's detachment from old pal Shrek was warmly welcomed as was the lack of the usual and over-used origin story attached to a spin-off movie. In fact, the short time they spent on how Puss got his boots, was fantastic, cute, original and a lot of fun. That said, I wouldn't want the whole film based around a Kitten Looking for Boots.
The movie as a whole a grand adventure, perfect for kids and adults. The story wasn't completely original and wildly predictable, but it was perfect for the younglings while the adventure, action, comedy and homage excellent for adults.
And speaking of homage, the inevitable and integrated Shrek-franchise fairy-tales weren't over done and more part of the story, than (said in best MadTV Stuart's voice) "Look at what I can do!" from the previous movies. On a personal note, these are the ones I most grew up with: Humpty (Alexander) Dumpty and Jack and the Beanstalk. (That last one was one of my all-time favorites as a kid, and when Disney redid it, oh, it was like Christmas.)
Puss and an oh-so-not-mysterious dueling cat team up with said Mr. Dumpty to get the goose that lays the golden eggs, but are wanted by the town folk and chased by, ah hem, Jack and Jill. (Now why couldn't Adam Sandler's feature length film take be as entertaining?) Puss needs to clear his name and save the town while finding time for love.
There. That was the basic premise. See? Great for kids. As was all the adventure and inventive scenes and gorgeous cinematography and graphics. This all will entertain adults as well, not boring them for a moment.
Finally, Antonio Banderas, who already starred in 3 previous films with this same character, breathes fresh life into the best character in the entire Shrek franchise. Unlike Cleveland from Family Guy, this character not only deserved his own spin-off, he can carry it. Further, most minor/secondary characters need to rely on those kooky new characters to fill in the gaps of the normal 90-minute timeframe. Not this time; while the co-stars were fun and entertaining, Puss held his own throughout and makes me welcome a Puss 2 Boots.
As long as it's more Puss Adventures and NOT leading us any closer to his meeting of Shrek.
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