Is the frightened cat no longer a hero? I believe that this cat became a better hero after acknowledging its fear. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” values the courage to speak one’s mind more than the ability to wield a sword.
The protagonist is a swordsman who has lost eight out of his nine lives. Despite this, he is eager to boast about how legendary he is. If someone has lost their life eight times, they should prioritize safety training over telling adventure stories.
The arrogance crumbles as the terrifying wolf inflicts a wound. The cat, who believed itself to be perfect even when alone, hides. Its breathing becomes ragged, and it realizes it needs help. I began to hope that it would catch its breath before it drew its sword again.
At this point, the movie does not punish the protagonist for being afraid. Instead, it places a stray dog, Perrito, who wants to be a friend, by his side, so that he does not have to endure it alone. I believe that this movie, instead of eliminating fear, teaches how to have someone by your side, and that is what makes the cat a better hero.
A scared cat makes a better hero
I find a cat that shows fear to be more trustworthy than one that doesn’t. This is because the film questions the rule that only those who are not afraid can be heroes. The fact that he trembled in the face of a terrifying opponent does not invalidate the courage he has accumulated.
At first, the cat cannot accept this reality. Even when recounting the lives lost in previous incarnations, it boasts of its own audacity rather than reflecting on the precious lives that have been lost. It seems to be praising its own survival, failing to properly count what it has lost.
I was laughing as I heard his story, but I started to feel a little uncomfortable. It was because he was so confident that he would be safe again even if the same thing happened. The experience of overcoming danger can sometimes lead to a feeling of complacency about future risks.
The crucial aspect here is the condition of having only one last life. The fact that there is no chance to restart after making a mistake changes the way even familiar sword techniques are perceived. Confidence in one’s ability to fight well cannot completely eliminate the fear of being injured.
The cat is still a skilled swordsman, but skill does not guarantee safety. The film depicts the moment when the two are separated during their first encounter with a wolf. What was once a source of pride now becomes a memory they wish to hide.
The moment the cat bleeds at the wolf’s hands, it confronts the reality that its own body is also vulnerable. The difference between its posture of confronting the wolf with a sword and its subsequent life of hiding is significant. Although the name “legend” may remain, the strength to endure based on that name has disappeared.
However, the film does not mock this retreat. It does not immediately demand that the hidden cat come out and prove its bravery. Instead, it gives the audience time to understand how frightened it is.
I like this sequence. If it had made the protagonist fight again without showing how great the fear was, courage would have simply become the protagonist’s obligation. Here, even the time spent running away remains part of the cat’s life.
Therefore, the goal of searching for stars is not simply driven by selfish desire. The desire to regain life is accompanied by the feeling of fear of being hurt again. Even if I do not agree with that desire, I understand why he clings to it.
Cats are not yet skilled at asking for help. Because they believe that they must achieve everything on their own to be true to themselves, relying on others is also unfamiliar to them. Therefore, what kind of person will the film place beside this frightened hero, and what will they have them do first?
The moment the sword fighting stops is when it is most powerful
The cat is overwhelmed with fear and cannot even catch its breath. At this point, I think the best choice is to stop the fight and observe its breathing. The screen, which previously showed how well the cat was fighting, now shows how difficult it is for it to breathe.
In the combat scenes, the poses are exaggerated and the movements appear disjointed. It’s as if a magnificent swordsman from a picture book has suddenly appeared before your eyes. The exaggerated movements perfectly match the cat’s self-image.
However, when fear sets in, that impressive posture becomes useless. One cannot move the body as desired, and even breathing becomes difficult to control. The film does not simply gloss over this moment with another trick.
Here, I felt a sense of urgency. More than finding a way to defeat the enemy, I needed to find a way for that cat to breathe easily. I had been watching the swordplay, but now I was worried about the cat’s physical condition.
Perrito approaches him. This stray dog, who wants to be a friend, doesn’t demand that the cat act heroically. His actions of staying close and touching his body speak louder than any words.
Telling someone who is having difficulty breathing to “be brave” is the wrong order of steps for emergency treatment.
Perrito knows the order of things. Instead of immediately trying to resolve the fear, he starts by not leaving him alone. The cat doesn’t need to explain or embellish its situation.
I found that quiet connection to be more reliable than flashy swordsmanship. A sword can block an approaching opponent, but what is truly needed is someone who is there to support you. The film accurately portrays which of these is necessary at any given moment.
What I particularly liked was the way the film doesn’t rush to hide the cat’s vulnerable moments. The cat doesn’t immediately return to a brave expression just because Perrito has arrived. The game also gives the protagonist enough time to receive help.
In this scene, Perito is not just a spectator or a friend who simply offers encouragement. He is a colleague who helps the cat accomplish what it cannot do alone. Even if he doesn’t directly participate in the fight, he becomes an indispensable presence for the adventure.
Therefore, the meaning of “going together” changes. It is not enough to simply have one cat leading the way while the others follow. When he stops, someone must remain by his side.
The screen has the effect of stripping away the cat’s pretense. Does his voice, which was always so confident, now reveal a change, one that involves accepting help from others?
The voice stops boasting and acting superior on its own
English voice acting does not weaken the character. I believe that these voices transform him into a hero who knows how to listen to others rather than just boasting about himself. The power of the voice makes him feel like the same person, even after he is frightened.
When Antonio Banderas, who played the cat, recounts anecdotes about near-death experiences, he emphasizes his voice. In contrast, when he portrays panic, his breathing becomes erratic, and his confident tone falters. What was humorous earlier transforms into worry later.
The important thing is that the two voices are not separate. It’s not that a stylish swordsman has disappeared and been replaced by another cat. It is the same person who always spoke loudly, but now he has encountered a fear that he cannot cover up with a loud voice.
Banderas, while pointing out the differences, does not portray the cat solely as a pitiable creature. I found myself hoping that he would express his feelings more openly, rather than regaining his bravado as before. There is no longer a need for a hero’s voice to be necessarily assertive.
Selma Hayek, who plays the fellow swordswoman Kitty Softpaw, stops the cat in a different way. Even in conversations about the events surrounding the wedding, she does not easily let down her guard. Her tone suggests that listening to the other person’s fears is different from setting aside one’s own wounds.
I appreciate this sense of equality. Kitty doesn’t simply accept everything just because the cat is having a hard time. If a cat wants help, he should listen to why the other person doesn’t trust him.
Therefore, the conversation between the two people does not only contain words of comfort. Even if they want to become closer again, there are things that must be said first. Heyaek’s voice prevents them from skipping this process.
As Perrito, Harvey Guillén does not abandon his gentle tone, even when approaching his friend. The voice that previously elicited laughter now soothes the cat.
As the Wolf, Wagner Moura’s low and menacing voice at their first encounter undermines the cat’s confident demeanor.
On one side, there is a voice that remains, even when frightened, staying by her side. On the other side, there is a voice that does not back down, no matter how much someone boasts. In between, the cat learns how to interact with others without pretense.
However, despite the significance of these changes, the criticism that the middle treasure hunt is familiar remains.
The familiar phrase “treasure hunt” is only half correct
There are certainly parts in the middle where the exploration drags on. Even so, I don’t agree with calling the entire time spent moving together with my colleagues extraneous.
The star represents the fulfillment of a wish. Not only the cat group, but also the bear family, Goldilocks, and Jack Horner, who seeks power, all desire it. Because their destinations are the same, competition and obstruction continue, and the journey constantly lengthens.
If this is the number of applicants for a single star, then the application guidelines are more important than the wishes themselves.
Compared to the tension of encountering a wolf, this competition feels familiar. Simply watching who will seize the opportunity first does not capture the sharpness of the beginning. I wished the exploration had been a little shorter, as I was waiting for the next threat.
However, if we only focus on the moment when the wolf appears, other problems arise. While we know that the cat needs friends, the reasons why they want to be with these specific companions become unclear. There is a difference between receiving help in times of crisis and having companionship in everyday life.
Kitty is a colleague who doesn’t easily trust cats. Perito is a colleague who wants to be friends and is approaching. Even though they are walking the same path, the feelings that the cat needs to accept are different.
One cannot put forward only one’s own circumstances in the presence of Kitty. One cannot determine the value of a colleague based solely on their swordsmanship skills in the presence of Ferito. The time spent working together is necessary for the cat to learn these differences.
Therefore, I found it more interesting to observe the cat’s reactions than to track our progress towards the stars. What was important was who the cat chose to listen to, and who it found difficult to trust. If one only focuses on getting closer to the destination, one misses half of the journey.
While the previous work, “Puss in Boots,” depicted a hero who regained honor and trust, this time, the questions are more complex. Is he a hero even in moments when he must rely on others? The sequel does not provide a simple answer based solely on the cat’s ability to fight alone.
I agree that spending time together is necessary to find that answer. However, the time that is needed and the time that is wasted are not the same thing. When the movements of competitors overlap, the commotion surrounding the stars is more significant than the changes in the cat.
Even if I removed that section, I believe the places for my friends would have remained. Therefore, while the speed in the middle part is regrettable, I do not make the judgment that we should exclude the companions altogether.
However, just because it is a fairy tale that teaches about relationships, it does not mean that the horror within it is comfortable.
Fear should not be discounted just because it is labeled “for children”
The threat of wolves is essential for convincing the cat to change. However, it presents a clear obstacle to creating a comfortable and enjoyable experience for young viewers.
In the initial confrontation, the cat is injured and bleeding. Even for the swordsman who had always escaped danger, this opponent is different. This is the moment when the belief that “if I fight well, everything will be alright” is shattered.
This injury is not something that simply disappears when the fight is over. It is followed by the cat’s labored breathing. The film depicts a fear that lasts longer than the physical wounds.
Therefore, the statement that “wolves are scary” is not simply an evaluation of their appearance. It means that they are opponents who can make the cat doubt its own abilities. For the audience to understand and accept the changes that the protagonist undergoes, they must also experience the fear that the protagonist feels.
I do not agree with the argument that I should have lessened this threat. If the cat hid because of an opponent who was not even that frightening, its fear would have seemed ridiculous. Perrito’s act of staying by the cat’s side would also have appeared trivial.
That does not mean it should be made reassuring in the name of being a family animation. While it features picture-book-like visuals and cute animals, the events that unfold within the story are not gentle. For children, the protagonist’s inability to catch their breath is a significant source of anxiety.
In particular, there can be a difference between the movie that a caregiver expects and the movie that a child experiences. While an adult might feel comforted by a friend’s support, a child may continue to recall the injury seen earlier. The presence of a cute dog does not erase the threat of a wolf.
If there is a child watching and they are sensitive to chase or injury scenes, caution is advised. If you are looking for a harmless animal comedy, then this film is not the right choice. This film does not briefly introduce elements of horror and then dismiss them as jokes.
Conversely, if you like stories about characters who pretend to be strong receiving help, then this fear has value. A cat does not have to hide its fear to remain a cool character. The film gives ample room even to portray it wavering in front of its friends.
I use this level of intensity to determine whom to recommend the film to, rather than as a reason to deduct points. I wanted to reduce the amount of time spent on the mid-film treasure hunt. However, I do not want to reduce the time spent staying with a friend who is scared.
A hero who walks with others is better than a hero who wins alone
I like this movie because it doesn’t eliminate the cat’s fear. Instead, it keeps by his side a friend who will not leave even when he shows his fear. The most reassuring answer this adventure offers is that receiving help doesn’t diminish one’s heroic qualities.
High marks go to the direction that lets the panic scenes breathe and to the voice acting as the bravado crumbles. The competition overlapping with the familiar exploration in the middle slows the pace, costing it points. Even so, that disappointment cannot push aside Perrito’s quiet consolation.
I recommend this movie to those who enjoy fast swordplay and appreciate characters who try to appear strong but rely on others. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars. It is worth spending 102 minutes on an adventure that does not force a frightened hero to shout loudly again. However, if you are expecting a harmless animal comedy to watch with young children, it is better to choose a different movie.
When watching, pay attention to how the cat moves its body when it is fighting and when it is frightened. The way a large, expansive posture collapses reveals what this film prioritizes over swordsmanship. Also, note that Kitty’s vigilance and Perrito’s kindness represent different forms of support.
Next, we will be looking at the work “Puss in Boots.” By placing the hero who regains his honor alongside the hero who accepts help, the significance of this change becomes clearer. If you enjoyed Antonio Banderas’ voice in “Puss in Boots,” then “Pain and Glory” is also a good choice.
In that film, a man who has reached his limits reclaims his life through memory and creation. Here, companionship and adventure take that place. I find a cat that walks with me, even if it says it is scary, more trustworthy than a cat that wins alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should you watch the previous film or the Shrek series first?
Even if you haven’t played the previous game, you won’t have trouble following this adventure. The relationship between the cat with one life left and its companions is at the heart of the story. Those who have watched the previous film will find it interesting to compare the changes in the hero, who regained his honor, and how he accepts help.
Is it suitable for viewing with young children?
Do not consider this an animal comedy without any threats. There are scenes of a wolf’s pursuit, bleeding wounds, and a cat struggling to breathe. If there are children who are sensitive to scenes of pursuit or injury, they should be cautious about whether to watch it.
Is this movie a faithful adaptation of the original fairy tale?
This is an adventure in the “Shrek” series, reimagining the characters from the fairy tale “Puss in Boots.” It is not a direct adaptation of the fairy tale’s plot. It is a sequel to “Puss in Boots” (2011), and explores the fear and relationships of a swordsman with one life remaining.
Is it closer to action or to emotion?
While there is fast-paced swordplay action with exaggerated movements, what decided my verdict was the moment the fighting stopped. The scene in which Perrito stays by the frightened cat’s side anchors the adventure. If you want nothing but nonstop action, the exploration in the middle section may feel drawn out.
What are the advantages of watching it in the original English?
You can directly compare Banderas’s confident boasting with the wavering breath caused by fear. Heyaek’s caution, Guillén’s warmth, and Moura’s subtle threat are all distinctly different. If you want to hear how the voice changes a character, the English original audio is recommended.
