Out of all the sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and adaptations that have plagued us in the recent past, anything having to do with the Shrek franchise didn't make my list of Most Anticipated Films of 2011. But oh, Antonio--I can never stay mad at you. Puss in Boots has abundant charm and giggles, and every swish of his little kitty sword managed to slash my cynicism to ribbons.
The first 10 minutes of this film are so strong, it immediately whiskered…er, whisked me away to the first Shrek movie, back when I felt like watching baked goods sass-talking donkeys was the equivalent of seeing Neil Armstrong walk on the moon for the first time. The world of this film is very similar to that franchise, creating its own prequel to the other films and having absolutely nothing to do with the traditional fairy tale (in fact, I am so brainwashed I nearly forgot there was an original fairy tale until I was scolded by someone who reads more books than I do). Ready yourself for flamenco fights, vaguely referenced one-night stands, and medicinal catnip.
In this film we meet Puss's best friend Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), who used to be a good egg until he became obsessed with finding golden eggs and living life without fear of being poached or scrambled. Separated for many years by betrayal, Puss and Humpty are reunited when they simultaneously discover the famed magic beans that will make their childhood dreams come true. Aiding them in their quest is the seductive thief Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), who keeps Puss's overactive libido racing. The only problem is that the beans are in the clutches of the disillusioned Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris), who no longer want to deal in pails of water and broken crowns. In fact, Jack wants to end the whole racket in order to have a baby, which serves as one of the more endearing plot points.
Although the film quickly gets bogged down in expositional flashbacks, it still manages to retain its likable quality--and plus, it's a kid's movie, so using the phrase "expositional flashbacks" is bordering on over-thinking anyway. Occasionally the 3D is impressive and is otherwise unnoticeable, which let me focus on the super cute little kitty puss-puss face of baby Puss in Boots and all the surprisingly interesting character arcs. This is one of those kid's films that you won't mind having to watch ad nauseam on DVD because it perfectly walks (or in Puss's case, struts) the line between delighting kids and adults alike.