Puss in Boots (2011)

After Donkey, Puss is my favourite character from the Shrek series. It's probably because I love cats, and because Antonio Banderas's accent is something else. Anyway, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After didn't do well with this character which is why a solo movie sounded like a good idea. It was, to be honest. Puss in Boots is entertaining and fun, but it has a problem, it lacks the magic of the first two Shrek movies. 

Years before meeting Shrek and Donkey, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is a wanted fugitive with a mission, to find magic beans. But Puss isn't the only one after the beans and he crosses paths with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), a female feline who is helping Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), and egg of questionable intent and Puss' old friend. Puss eventually agrees to work with them and steal the beans from the outlaw couple Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) but things don't go according to plan.

The story isn't great and it starts off quite boring but as the plot develops and thickens up, it gets interesting and engaging. It's sloppy at times though, and in the end, although it manages to be somewhat emotional (in my experience, it works better for a younger audience), it gets as predictable as it can get. Still, it provides plenty of action and adventure and the fan of the Shrek series are not likely to get disappointed.

Paramount Pictures

Easily the best part of Puss in Boots is the characters. Puss finally gets the development and backstory he deserves and Antonio Banders makes the character even more likeable. Also, his chemistry with Salma Hayek is great. The other characters are a little shallow and aren't that developed (there indeed isn't a lot of change in the characters), but they are fun and humorous, especially Humpty Dumpty (the character itself isn't that interesting but he's got a nice backstory and Zack Galifianakis is fantastic in the role), and each has enough charms to keep you entertained from start to finish.

The humour is pretty good too. It makes fun of things cats usually do, like drinking milk and chasing lights, and it works. Some jokes and gags lack originality but they are properly developed. There are some jokes intended for the adults as well, but they never come off uncomfortable. 

The colourful animation is excellent, as always, and the setting, no longer the forest of Far Far Away but a Mexican village, is beautiful.