Puss in Boots:
Lack of curiosity kills this cat!
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
|
Humpty, Kitty
and Puss |
A supporting character in the popular 'Shrek' series turns star in
DreamWorks Animation's latest movie Puss in Boots. However unlike the
movie from which it is the offshoot, Puss in Boots is a mixture of the
Mother Goose stories linked to form a new storyline.
Puss in Boots sees the main character as a heavily accented cat in
search of adventure. Far from the European forests where we first
encounter him in Shrek, the hat wearing and sword burnishing feline is
seen in Mexican landscapes where he was brought up in an orphanage.
There he meets Humpty Dumpty who becomes his deeply reliable friend.
They become outlaws because not only are they the odd pair in the
orphanage but they are also driven by Humpty's thirst to find the magic
beans so that he can grow a beanstalk to steal the legendary goose who
lays the golden eggs.
An out of the world incident makes Puss the hero of the town but soon
Humpty's actions clips his wings. He goes into exile after escaping from
the police by a whisker. Homeless and friendless the champ survives over
the years to return back to his hometown for an adventure.
In a sequence where he tries to steal the real magic beans from a
pair of thugs named Jack and Jill, Puss meets his romantic interest
Kitty Softpaws. Unfortunate for him, she is the sidekick of a bad egg in
the form of his childhood friend Humpty.
Puss and Kitty |
After burying old differences the trio accomplish their mission only
to discover that it is not the giant which follows the missing goose but
something which is supposed to be equally terrifying: Mother Goose
herself. Director Chris Miller has added a lively look to the movie to
delight cat lovers. Many of the sound effects are added to kinder their
heartstrings.
For instance though the cats have been humanized, there are instances
when Puss chases a flashlight spot and when he laps up milk at a bar
which remind us of his true identity. These are typical cat mannerisms
cleverly inserted into the episodes when you are least expecting them.
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton,
Amy Sedaris, Constance Marie and Guillermo del Toro have lent their
voices for the characters.
Antonio voices Puss remarkably with seductive tones while Salma is
brilliant as the feisty Kitty.
Puss in Boots embodies all that is expected in an animation movie:
scenes which are lovely to look at, comic scenes, animals imitating
human actions and a well-constructed plot. What it seems to lack is the
essential punch which makes movies like Ice Age.
Puss |
Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and Toy Story stand above the others.
Another feature which works against the story is the replacement of
Mother Goose with the giant.
Sure, it is great that the film-makers have added a new twist to the
tale but it would have been thrilling for the audience to see a
terrifying monster following the missing goose' trail.
The picture of a giant, cuddly looking, white goose searching for her
chick seems less of a danger and does not meet with the audience's
expectations of an exciting climax.
Some of the scenes remind you of Rango and Zorro.
The eye popping action scenes of the Dance Fight and chase through
the allies are fun to watch.
Miller had made full use of the 3D effect to make them a visual
treat.
Children will love the furry felines.
Adults would find it an interesting watch but still feel something
missing to stimulate their excitement.
What Puss in Boots lacks most is curiosity and that lacking feature
probably kills this movie. |