PUSS IN BOOTS

US, 2011, 90 minutes, Colour.
Voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bog Thornton, Amy Sedaris, Constance Marie, Guillermo del Toro.
Directed by Chris Miller

As we all know (and liked), Puss in Boots tended to steal scenes from Shrek, Donkey and the rest. So, why not give him his own movie? Of course. And, here it is.

With Antonio Banderas bringing a certain blend of smoulder and bragadaccio to the voice of Puss and the animators giving him plenty of adventures, this has been a surefire box-office attraction. And, most audiences will enjoy it.

It is not bad but does not stay in the memory. It draws on the Zorro stories and has Puss as a blend of outlaw and do-gooder and something of a ladies’ Tom.

The plot also draws on a number of other fairy tale characters who perhaps were upset that they did not make it into the Shrek movies. There is Mother Goose, not as amiable as she should be with her golden eggs. Humpty Dumpty is a shadily ambiguous character. Little Boy Blue is very blue.

But, to challenge Puss and charm him is a masked swordsperson, Kitty Softpaws who, when she takes off the mask, is a chat fatale. And voiced by Salma Hayek, so the full Hispanic accent and purring. They fight. They romance. And, often best of all, they have dancing rivalry that the animators give full burst to.

The film keeps moving, action, comedy, romance (and quite a few double entendres) enough to keep us attentive to the adventures of what one European paper called, ‘Cat in Boots’.

1. An entertaining animation film? 3D? The character of Puss in Boots? His presence in the Shrek films? Having a film of his own?

2. The style of the animation, the drawing of the characters, effects, action? The locations, the fairytale world – and the Hispanic touch? The importance of the voice cast, the talent? Antonio Banderas as Puss?

3. The fairytale world, the characters from the fairy tales – and the twists in their characters and behaviours?

4. Puss, Zorro-like, appearance, swordsmanship? His past, the robbery, the influence of Humpty Alexander Dumpt? His fleeing? His honour and reputation? The past with Humpty Dumpty at the orphanage?

5. Kitty Softpaws, her skills, confronting Puss, listening to his story, joining with him?

6. The role of Mother Goose, the gosling, the eggs, the search and stealing? The Greater Terror protecting the golden eggs?

7. The presence of Jack and Jill, the magic beans?

8. The revelation of the trick, the collaboration of Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Kitty? Humpty becoming a hero by donating the golden eggs? Puss in prison? Talking with his mother, Imelda, and The Greater Terror and Mother Goose wanting to get back her gosling?

9. The warning from Jack, from Jack and the Beanstalk?

10. The final escapade, Jack and Jill and the betrayals, Puss trying to save the eggs and Humpty Dumpty? Humpty Dumpty sacrificing himself, smashing but revealed as a golden egg?

11. Puss, becoming the hero of the town?

12. The Postscript, Jack and Jill and their wounds, Humpty Dumpty in the gold suit? Puss and his future? Kitty?