“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” released in theaters December 21, 2022.  Many were confused at the decision to make a sequel, as the first movie came out back in 2011.  However, this movie’s raving reviews have managed to break through critics’ skepticism, with a 96% rating from Rotten Tomatoes, and a 75% from Metacritic. This movie is performing incredibly well in the box office.

  “The Last Wish” introduces a new side of Puss in Boots, which is his fear.  The source of this fear is that Puss has used up eight of his nine lives, and had not used them wisely.  

  This film discusses themes of mortality, emphasizing the importance of making the most of your years on Earth.  It also discusses being grateful for the people in your life, and being happy with what you already have. The new antagonist, “Death”, chases after Puss as he endeavors to get to the Last Wish to get more lives.

  “The Last Wish” was directed by Joel Crawford, whereas the first “Puss in Boots” film was directed by Chris Miller. This is very evident, as they have added a new animation style, while still capturing the essence of the original film.  

  The character of “Puss in Boots” first appeared in the 2004 movie, “Shrek 2.”  Throughout the Shrek movies he was portrayed as very confident, even bordering on arrogant. While the directors went into more of Puss’s backstory and built on his character in the first movie, none of these movies hold a candle to the character progression that is seen in “The Last Wish.”  

  Throughout this movie you see how fragile arrogance can be, and how breaking someone’s confidence can make them a shell of their former selves. But it also shows how you can recover from that.  By giving yourself confidence, not by gaining it from others, and leaning on loved ones for support.