After more than a decade, the blockbuster “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” has once again captivated audiences, marking a heartfelt return that resonates with all viewers. Highlighting themes of love and the support of loved ones, the film has “struck gold” at the box office, earning significant revenue since its premiere weekend in Vietnam.
In international markets, the DreamWorks masterpiece has also garnered a substantial audience, bringing in over $140 million worldwide. Nate Richard from Collider praised “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” not just as one of the best animated films of the year, but also as one of the best from DreamWorks.
Inspiration from Classic Films
People say cats have nine lives, but Puss finds himself with just one final chance before facing the daunting “colorful” fate. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” follows Puss as he embarks on a quest to find the mythical Last Wish, while being pursued by formidable foes.
With this compelling narrative structure, director Joel Crawford and his team draw inspiration for “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” from classic cinematic works, including the samurai film “Yojimbo” (1961), “Akira” (1988), and notably Sergio Leone’s classic “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” (1966): “Both films center around a character navigating a treacherous landscape in search of hidden treasure. We wanted to develop a Western style for the film – with the protagonist on a quest for a wish that could ultimately change their life forever.”
Interestingly, the name “Perrito,” which means “little dog” in Spanish, also draws inspiration from the iconic character “The Man with No Name,” portrayed by Clint Eastwood in “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”
A Diverse Cast of Characters
Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a classic English fairy tale dating back to the 19th century, adapted from the original story “The Story of the Three Bears.” The tale has many variations, but the version featuring the golden-haired girl named Goldilocks and the bear family is the most famous. In the film, Goldilocks is portrayed as a young girl who, upon reaching adulthood, transforms into a fierce leader on a quest for the legendary wishing star, while also eager to “return to her rightful place.”
Jack Horner, also known as Big Jack Horner, is a character inspired by the nursery rhyme “Little Jack Horner,” which tells the story of a boy sticking his thumb into a pie to pull out a plum. The rhyme highlights themes of greed and ambition. In the film, Jack possesses magical powers and is surrounded by numerous Easter eggs referencing various magical elements.
As a character tied to baked goods, Jack’s bakery, named Baker’s Dozen, offers a clever play on words, as it features 13 types of pastries, referencing the traditional baker’s dozen. Additionally, the names of other pastry characters, such as Nutmegan, Butter Scott, and Terror-Misu, add humor to the storyline.
The Wolf, inspired by the Big Bad Wolf from the Brothers Grimm tales, appears as a character within the story. Variations of this character have emerged in various works, establishing a common archetype in animated narratives today.
In “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” the Wolf serves as a relentless bounty hunter, unlike any other adversary Puss has faced. Quick and cunning, the Wolf presents a menacing challenge, carrying a grudge against Puss that has simmered for a long time.
A Unique Animation Style
The film is directed by the same creative team behind “The Croods: A New Age” (2020): director Joel Crawford, producer Mark Swift, editor James Ryan, and writer Paul Fisher.
Similar to “A New Age,” “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” has been developed over a lengthy period, showcasing a fresh approach to animation. The film’s artistic style pays homage to traditional storytelling while enhancing artistic techniques within the animation industry. Production designer Nate Wragg adopts a stylized animation reminiscent of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018) and “The Bad Guys” (2022). This approach sets the film apart from previous works while maintaining the essence of the original “Puss in Boots” (2011).
Production Details
In total, the team developed 65 different concepts for Puss’s eight lives on screen. In one instance, Puss “encounters” various creatures due to a magical mishap. In reality, some cats are known to have interactions with magical beings.
The film opens with Puss battling a fearsome giant, showcasing the high stakes he faces. This moment emphasizes the Wolf’s keen interest in observing Puss since their past encounters, making for an intense rivalry.
According to the production team, Puss possesses 1.2 billion heartbeats in his body and has over 150 feline companions living in Mama Luna’s house, representing 37 different cat breeds.
