Image Credit: DreamWorks Animation
Puss in Boots was the creation of French author Charles Perrault (also responsible for Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella) who in 1697 published Le Maistre Chat, ou Le Chat Botté, about a clever cat who helps his poor master win riches and a princess. But thanks to Dreamworks, isn’t it now impossible to imagine Puss without his smooth-talking, Latin-lover moves courtesy of a (fantastic) Antonio Banderas?
When we first met today’s Puss, it was as a scene-stealer in 2004′s Shrek 2 and — as some critics have pointed out — it’s hard to give a secondary character his own movie. But so far audiences are flocking to the family-friendly flick – it was the top grossing film of Friday with 9.6 million dollars. The animation is vivid and terrific, and there’s plenty of good cat jokes that people who like cats will particularly enjoy. (Even Puss himself says cat people are crazy so….) I’m particularly taken with the idea of a dastardly Humpty Dumpty — voiced in the film by Zach Galifianakis, which, of course, helps. Whoever came up with the idea that Humpty is a lonely, misunderstood genius really deserves some credit. Humpty, while understandably hindered by the fact that he is, you know, an egg, plots and schemes and betrays, and yet is still weirdly quite lovable. And while I’m worried that kids will grow up thinking that all these different folklore characters were hanging out together (Puss also dips into Jack and the Beanstalk, The Golden Goose, and Jack and Jill), it certainly makes for some good adventure.
But I’m curious, have you guys seen Puss in Boots yet? Do you have a favorite fairy tale character you’d like to see get the star treatment next? Sound off below!
Unfortunately only if is a franchise film does an Antonio Banderas movie get a wide release anymore. In the last five years, everything else that he has been in has only gotten a limited release or gone straight to DVD such as Bordertown (2006), My Spy (2008), The Other Man (2008) and The Code (2009). It is a shame. He is an underrated actor and should have joined the A-list years ago.
Did you see his yummy yummy booty in Never Talk To Strangers? He needs to be the biggest star in the world for that scene when Rebecca Demorny bit his tight rear end.
I just saw it. Not bad, but not really good either, and I’m not a big fan of the Shrek movies. Also I’m a childless twenty-something with two dogs. I’m probably not Puss in Boots’ target audience.
Spinster alert! Get this woman a man stat!
Idiot alert! Get this man duct-taped stat !!
Haha! I saw the movie with my fiance and his niece.
The spinster would be the middle-aged woman who sat in front of us. I kid you not–she was wearing a sweater with cats on it.
That was so freakin funny! Great one
When is Hit-Girl gonna get her own movie?
^^^ This!!
A Hansel and Gretel movie where they’re like SpyKids. Or maybe a continuation of Shrek where his kids and Donkey kids have a summer adventure. And one of the Dronkeies and ogres can have a Stewie and Bryan like relationship.
I hate to hear the word puss and rotten egg in the same sentence.
Just saw it, it was really cute!
though the story meanders and tries to cram in all the fairy tales to some extent its the characters.. music.. animation which are very endearing . nowadays its very imp. to have breezy laugh lines scripts which ought to follow good storyline along with animation…
The only cartoon I watch is Family Guy. Peter Griffin rules.
Pretty fun as Banderas is obviously having a blast sending up a mix of Zorro and El Mariachi, Hayek balances him out well and loved the wole mix of action, jokes and, yes, dancing. Nice bits like when Puss starts a long flashback and Kitty moans “oh, here we go” and some nice turns in the plot too. Love to see a follow-up sometime of more of Puss’ adventures.
By far the only animated movie I’ve ever loved as an adult. Hilarious, gut busting
You need to see more animated films.
Antonio Banderas’ movies worth seeing again on DVD: Original Sin (so HOT with Angelina Jolie) and The Mambo Kings.
No I don’t I have a 5 and 7 year old. I’ve seen to many as it is. This one is different imo.
Hey, i’m one of those “old ladies” who has cats – you know why..yes, they are fun company (and keep you busy) but another very simple reason…I love them..I love all animals. If I didn’t love them I wouldn’t have any.
Have read articles where some man mentions he has 10 dogs..etc..and does anyone say – oh, something must be wrong with him. No. why, because it’s a man? Dogs (i love them too) are a dependent lot – cats are independent. Go figure.
I’ve never understood why some people seem to think that the only people who like cats are crazy older women. I hate that stereotype! Cats are great pets and they are a lot less work than dogs. And in my opinion, they are more fun and loving.
I concur. I have two cats and no boyfriend but that doesn’t make me A) a spinster or B) crazy. It makes me a happy stress-free person. My cats aren’t clingy, needy, or whiny. Nor do they leave their crap all over my house, borrow my car and leave the tank on E, track mud in on my nice clean floors, or not call when they say they will!
OK for now, but check back with us after you get 15 more cats!
@Andrei–check back with us after you move out of your mother’s house.
I took my kids this afternoon. My daughter didn’t like it, my son did, (he likes anything animated!) I would’ve enjoyed it better if the young couple in front of us hadn’t brought their toddler! The Mother spent the entire movie trying to get the kid to sit still and be quiet. While the Father ignored them both!
The back and forth discussion between Jack and Jill about having a baby (thought they were brother and sister, creepy) is hilarious and Jack wearing a piglet in a pouch like a baby was just too much fun.