We all know the highly acclaimed movie “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” In this new adventure, our beloved character (who, interestingly, was originally a supporting character who totally stole the show in “Shrek 2”) is faced with the harsh reality of being down to his last life, having carelessly wasted the previous eight. Unwilling to give up a daring lifestyle and his reputation as a living legend, Puss in Boots refuses to retire. He boldly claims that he laughs in the face of Death… until Death itself (in the form of the Wolf) confronts him, determined to take the last life he has left.
Puss sets out on a journey to find the Wishing Star, which holds the power to restore his lost lives. Along the way, he encounters two important characters—one of whom plays a key role in the development of the story and deeply impacts its final lesson: Kitty Softpaws, a past love of Puss who still harbors unresolved emotions, and Perrito, an optimistic (and occasionally annoying) puppy who decides to join them on their journey to the star.
In my opinion, Perrito is the best-written character in the entire film. Every other character is carrying emotional baggage, struggling with bitterness or regret about something from their past or present: Puss with the loss of his lives and his fear of mortality, Kitty with her lack of trust in others, Jack Horner with his obsessive desire to possess all the magic in the world, and Goldilocks who, despite being cared for by the Three Bears, feels incomplete and is desperately seeking a “real” family.
Perrito, as revealed through a few scenes, has arguably the most tragic backstory of all. He was neglected, mistreated, and ultimately abandoned by his previous owners. They even tried to get rid of him in the cruelest way—tying him up in a sock with a rock and throwing him into a river. Despite all of this, Perrito is always smiling. He constantly extends his paw to help others, no matter what. As a sort of therapy dog, he helps Puss through a panic attack with nothing but his calm presence, his warmth, and his unwavering positivity. He is always ready to laugh, offer comfort, and bring light into even the darkest moments.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of the animated film, but even more so, I’m a big fan of Perrito. He teaches us the power of resilience, the importance of accepting our past, and how those painful experiences don’t have to define us or weigh us down forever. He is the perfect antithesis to the Wolf, the film’s main antagonist, who symbolizes the inevitable and often frightening nature of death, constantly reminding Puss—and the audience—of the cold truth of life’s end. But Perrito offers us a much more heartwarming perspective: that what truly matters is enjoying the journey of life, surrounding yourself with the people you love, living fully and peacefully, being grateful for what life gives and takes, and making the most of every moment—not just to be happy, but to spread happiness to those around you.
So yes, to me, Perrito is undoubtedly a supporting character who totally stole the show.
Share your thoughts!
Be the first to start the conversation.