Spin-offs don’t usually get a lot of love. They’re often the weaker offshoots of a great franchise, a little like sequels’ less ambitious cousins. But every once in a while, one comes along that proves it can stand tall—and in the case of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), even surpass the original.
Eleven years after his first solo adventure, everyone’s favorite feline outlaw is back, and honestly? He’s better than ever. Puss (voiced to perfection by Antonio Banderas ) is still the same fearless, sword-fighting charmer we know and love, but this time he’s facing something he can’t outwit or outrun: his own mortality. After burning through eight of his nine lives, Puss is forced to rethink the way he lives—cue an unexpectedly heartfelt journey that feels surprisingly deep for an animated movie.
The story kicks off with Puss at his most over-the-top—fighting giants, singing his own praises, and basking in the glow of his legend. But when he’s knocked down to his last life, he realizes he might not be as invincible as he thought. Enter the quest for the mythical Last Wish, a star that can grant him a do-over. Along the way, he teams up with Kitty Softpaws (a sharp and sassy Salma Hayek ) and Perrito, a scruffy, endlessly optimistic therapy dog. What could’ve been a typical "ragtag group on a mission" plot becomes something much more personal.
What really sets this movie apart is how much heart it packs into its swashbuckling story. The themes—learning to let others in, facing your fears, and finding joy in the little things—are simple but hit home. It’s a message about living your best life, not just surviving it, and it’s delivered with so much charm you can’t help but get swept up.
The animators leaned into a painterly, storybook style that gives every frame a unique, hand-crafted feel. The action scenes, in particular, are a blast, mixing bold colors and fluid motion in a way that feels fresh and exciting. You can tell the team behind this wanted to push the boundaries of what a Shrek-verse movie could look like, and it pays off big time.
That said, the pacing does hit a bit of a snag in the middle. The story morphs into a more predictable "treasure hunt" vibe, with overlapping subplots and a collection of quirky characters that might feel like something out of a Guy Ritchie film. But even when the story slows down, the humor and emotional beats keep things moving.
The voice cast absolutely nails it. Antonio Banderas has never been better as Puss—he’s still the swaggering, fearless hero we love, but with a new layer of vulnerability that makes him feel more real. Salma Hayek’s Kitty Softpaws is as witty and sharp as ever, and Harvey Guillén’s Perrito steals hearts as the wide-eyed comic relief. Even the villains are memorable, from a terrifying Big Bad Wolf to the hilariously chaotic Goldilocks and her crime-family bear clan.
By the time the credits roll, The Last Wish doesn’t just feel like a fun spin-off—it feels like a movie that earned its place as one of the best in the Shrek franchise. It’s bold, heartfelt, and visually next-level. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that even the smallest side characters can have big, unforgettable stories of their own.
Who would’ve thought? The little orange cat with a sword just stole the show—and our hearts.
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