Puss in Boots (2011) - Catty spin-off has issues

♥♥

 

The titular cat and a wealth of other fantastical elements attract on this poster for Chris Miller's Puss in Boots

Puss is a feared, sword-carrying cat who meets a thrilling female cat and reunites with his old friend Humpty Dumpty for an adventure for the magic beans that lead to the golden goose!

 

Puss in Boots is written by Tom Wheeler (Empire (2005, miniseries)), with William Davies (Flushed Away (2006)) and Brian Lynch (Hop (2011)) contributing story elements, and directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third (2007)). It is a spin-off of the Shrek franchise (2001; 2004; 2007; 2010). It has its basis in the same-titled, 16th century European folk fairytale.

The film begins with energy and fun for a time, with cat characters and adult concepts intermingling in a colorful family package (not unlike in the Shrek movies), but later the film runs out of juice, as the Puss/Dumpty relationship that's meant to carry the film, simply isn't strong enough or exciting enough to do so. That leaves one sighing for other characters, - or, even worse, reminiscing about how much fun those first two Shrek movies were. 

The animation here is handsome; there's lots of action, but Puss doesn't impress one as a great character in Puss in Boots. 

 

Related posts:

Shrek franchise: Shrek the Third (2007) - Declined quality but still loads of fun to be had with third Shrek (also by Miller)

Shrek 2 (2004) - Fun and adventure reign in tremendous family animation romp 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 130 mil. $

Box office: 554.9 mil. $

= Big hit (returned 4.26 times its cost)

[Puss in Boots premiered 23 October (Austin Film Festival) and runs 90 minutes. Originally envisioned as a video release, the film was elevated to a theatrical release. Production took place in the US and India. It opened #1 to a 34 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent one more weekend at #1 and then 2 more in the top 5 (#3-#5), grossing 149.2 mil. $ (26.9 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Russia with 50.5 mil. $ (9.1 %) and Germany with 34 mil. $ (6.1 %). It was the year's 3rd highest-grossing animated film, behind Kung Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2. The film was nominated for the Best Animation Oscar, lost to Rango. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe, among other honors. The film additionally made in excess of 70.4 mil. $ on the North-American home video market alone. The character returned in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). Miller has not returned as a director since. Antonio Banderas (The Body (2001)) returned in Day of the Falcon/Black Gold (2011) and also returned to voice Puss in the 2022 sequel. Puss in Boots is certified fresh at 86 % with a 6.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Puss in Boots?

Shrek the Third (2007) - Declined quality but still loads of fun to be had with third Shrek

♥♥♥♥

Shrek returns in royal, uncomfortable getup, flanked by his beloved co-characters, on this colorful poster for Raman Hui and Chris Miller's Shrek the Third

When the king of Far Far Away passes away, Shrek and Fiona are the heirs, but the duties don't suit Shrek, who journey out to find the next in line to the throne; teenager Artie. - Meanwhile Prince Charming makes a last attempt at claiming the kingdom for himself.

Shrek the Third is written by Jeffrey Price (Johnny Bago (1993, TV-series)), Peter S. Seaman (Doc Hollywood (1991)), Aron Warner (Antz (1998, producer)) and Chris Miller (Shrek (2001, additional dialog)), with Andrew Adamson (Shrek 2 (2004)) supplying story elements, and directed by Miller and Raman Hui (Monster Hunt (2015)).
Shrek returns for his second sequel, which is still full of funny moments; now with Justin Timberlake (Trolls (2016)) as the new not quite ready heir to the throne heir Artie. The story is less gripping and more raggedy than the ones in Shrek and Shrek 2. And the humor and many of Shrek the Third's long row of jokes are aimed at its adult audiences. It gets by all the same, simply because it is a lot of fun.

Related post:

Shrek franchise: Shrek 2 (2004) - Fun and adventure reign in tremendous family animation romp

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 160 mil. $
Box office: 798.9 mil. $
= Big hit (returned 4.99 times its cost)
[Shrek the Third premiered 6 May (Westwood, California) and runs 92 minutes. Following the massive success of Shrek 2, a third, fourth and possibly a fifth film were announced. The salaries for the film's 3 main stars were not reported this time around. The film opened #1 to a 121.6 mil. $ first weekend in North America, - the biggest opening for an animated film in the market until Finding Dory (2016), - spending another 3 weeks in the top 5 (#2-#3-#5), grossing 322.7 mil. $ (40.3 % of the total gross). It was the 2nd highest-grossing film of the year in North America, selling approximately 46.9 mil. tickets. The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 78.1 mil. $ (9.8 %) and France with 44.2 mil. $ (5.5 %). It was the 4th highest-grossing movie of the year globally. It was nominated for a BAFTA. Roger Ebert gave it a 2.5/4 star review, translating to a notch harder than this review. The film made in excess of 176.7 mil. $ on home video sales in North America from around 11.8 mil. units, which, if added into the equation, would change the film's status to that of 'huge hit'. The franchise returned with Shrek Forever After (2010) and spin-off Puss in Boots (2011), and a reboot may presently be in the works. Hui returned with 4 short efforts before a theatrical release with Monster Hunt (2015); Miller returned with Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots (2011). Mike Myers (The Cat in the Hat (2003)) returned in Shrek the Halls (2007, short) and theatrically in The Love Guru (2008); Eddie Murphy (Harlem Nights (1989)) in Shrek the Halls and theatrically in Meet Dave (2008); Cameron Diaz (Gangs of New York (2002)) in Shrek the Halls and theatrically in What Happens in Vegas (2008). Shrek the Third is rotten at 41 % with a 5.44/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Shrek the Third?