Puss in Boots

So much time had pass since people could say confidently that an animated film was the highlight of its opening weekend at the box office, and that was with Dreamworks Animation’s “Puss in Boots,” the 2011 spin-off of the “Shrek” franchise that is more active and more entertaining than people would think. Richard Propes said in his review, “Of course, it should be noted that the opening weekend of Puss in Boots is dotted with such cinematic mediocrity as Anonymous and In Time.”

“Puss in Boots” is a prequel to the “Shrek” films, but it has a completely different tone and look to it. I should also point out that “Puss in Boots” is one of the rare films of the year that the 3D animation was actually worth it. Propes mentioned, “The film's animation is richly layered and the action sequences, abundant in quantity, are also of tremendous quality. While the film is not up to Pixar's best, it certainly surpasses this year's Cars sequel and it wouldn't be surprising to see it mentioned during the 2011 awards season.”

The script from a team of writers doesn’t really bring anything new and definitely isn’t on the same emotional level of a Pixar film, but Dreamworks was really making a mark for itself as just a step below the Pixar films with their recent films like “How to Train Your Dragon” and the “Kung Fu Panda” movies.

Propes credited, “Antonio Banderas is marvelous as Puss, bringing to his vocal work a vibrance and energy that would make you literally able to envision the action even if you weren't looking at the screen. Banderas is suave, debonaire, funny and simply everything you want Puss to be. The actor has had quite the year between this appearance and his appearance in Almodovar's controversial The Skin I Live In.” Salma Hayek is perfect as his halt and friend, Kitty Softpaws. Visually, the two enjoy some really great scenes that go from well choreographed sword fights to really entertaining scenes. The story tells audiences Puss’s childhood and his friendship with Humpty Dumpty, voiced by Zach Galifianakis, whose work on the film include one of the naughtier jokes that was every inserted in a kids’ film (that it’s almost reassured the kids will never get).

Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris voice Jack and Jill, whose magic beans become the subject of a robbery by Humpty and Puss.

Directed by Chris Miller, who also directed the boring “Shrek the Third,” “Puss in Boots” hands down is superior to just about anything that anyone could have thought from a film that spun off of a four film franchise. Even one of the largest fan had to think if “Puss in Boots” would be worth checking out. Surprisingly, it’s one of the best animated films of 2011.

If you were not very fond of the “Shrek” franchise after one or two movies, then you should see “Puss in Boots” because it was a very good animated movie. I checked this out when my brother got it from the library and I thought it was very entertaining. As a spin-off to the franchise about a character that is spoof on Banderas’ Zorro character, it did a really good job. You should see it, especially if you have kids, because all of you will really enjoy it, I promise.

Alright everyone, we have now come to the end of “Salma Hayek Month.” I hope everyone enjoyed it and have checked out the films that I have reviewed, even though there are more films that she starred in. I know there might be some famous ones that I didn’t look it, but I will have to see when I can check them out and look at when will be the right time to review them.

Stay tuned next month when we pick back up with “Black History Movie Month,” where I will be looking at some of the work done by a really great actor/director of his time.