Summary
Puss in Boots: The Last Wishis one of DreamWorks' all-time best movies, but despite its success, I’m still unconvinced aboutShrek’s latest spinoff. Given how long it had been since theShrekfranchise last released a movie, my expectations forPuss in Boots 2were relatively low. Walking into the theater, I didn’t expect much, but after leaving, I was blown away.Puss in Boots' second solo outing surpassed all expectations, completely blowing the first movie out of the water and becoming one of my favorite cinematic experiences of the year.
I wasn’t the only one impressed with the movie as it received fantastic reviews and was a box office hit.The movie repeated its success on streaming asPuss in Boots 2broke into the Netflix top 10, indicating just how popular it was. This was the perfect project to bring theShrekfranchise back into the mainstream, and withShrek 5and a spinoff in the works, the movie clearly made a big impact. However, despitePuss in Boots 2being one of the bestShrekmoviesever made, I still have reservations about the franchise’s upcoming project.
Puss In Boots 2 Worked Because It Focused On A Side Character
Puss In Boots Is An Interesting Enough Character To Carry A Solo Spinoff
One ofPuss in Boots: The Last Wish’s strongest elements was that it focused strictly on a side character. WhilePuss became popular for his involvement in theShrekfranchise, his solo adventures have been just as captivating as they allowed the franchise to explore his personality and story on an individual basis. His first movie showcased his origins and introduced some new characters specific to Puss' journey, with the sequel continuing this. Seeing the character shine on his own is something thatShrekcouldn’t offer him, which is why his spinoff films worked so well.
Death being one of the film’s main villains was a perfect choice as it fit directly into Puss' story.
Puss in Boots 2has a fresh style compared toShrekboth visually and narratively, as despite comedy still being a major focus,The Last Wishhas some more adult themes. Death being one of the film’s main villains was a perfect choice as it fit directly into Puss' story. He has often lived recklessly, leading to him losing the majority of his nine lives, meaning when mortality became a real issue, his entire outlook on life changed. This couldn’t have been done in the mainShrekfilms as Death wouldn’t have the same impact on the other central characters.
Death’s brilliant design and introduction helped make him such a great villain, but his personal connection to Puss is why he became so memorable. Puss has rarely feared any enemy, but Death is the one foe he couldn’t outrun.The Last Wishalso plays into some of the character’s selfish traits and insecurities, which would once again be hard to implement nearly as well in aShrekfilm. The movie didn’t have to focus on the rest of the franchise; instead, it let a side character take center stage and shine, makingPuss in Boots 2a modern masterpiece.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wishhas the highest Rotten Tomatoes score out of every film in theShrekfranchise.
A Donkey Spinoff Would Feel Too Much Like Another Shrek Movie
Donkey’s Journey Is Often Intertwined With Shrek’s Throughout The Franchise
Donkey is easily one ofShrek’s best characters, and while I love the idea of Eddie Murphy reprising his role, I’m concerned it may feel too much like anotherShrekmovie.ADonkey spinoff with Eddie Murphyis in the works, meaning the fan favorite will return to the big screen in the near future. WithShrek 5also confirmed, audiences will be getting plenty of Donkey, but the fifth installment of the main movies makes a spinoff somewhat redundant. WhilePuss in Bootsworked as a spinoff, I feel like Donkey has less potential to thrive on his own.
The Last Wishcreated big expectations for theShrekfilms - in particular future spinoffs - meaning falling short of these demands could hurt the project. It will be impossible to avoid comparisons, andwhile I still believe a solo Donkey story could be fun, it will struggle to avoid feeling overly different from the otherShrekmoviesas he is already a major factor in the films. Donkey is one of my favoriteShrekcharacters, but with another main movie on the way, we don’t really need a solo adventure, and it risks feeling all too familiar.
He is already involved in most storylines, and even if Donkey isn’t always at the center of the plot, there is no doubt he has an important and prominent role in most ofShrek’s cinematic adventures. Although he has his own family with Dragon, there are definitely limitations to what they can do with the character, and while I still look forward to seeing his shenanigans away from the main movies, I do worry the spinoff may struggle to replicatePuss in Boots 2’s overwhelming success.
Donkey Works Best As A Double Act With Shrek
Donkey & Shrek Are A Perfect Duo That Work Better Together
While a Donkey spinoff risks feeling too similar toShrek, it will also be without Shrek and Donkey’s excellent chemistry. Although the two of them can still have great moments apart, the two are at their best when together, meaning the Donkey spinoff will have to find a way to make up for the lack of Shrek. While I’m sure the writers will introduce fun new characters as they did in thePuss in Bootsspinoffs, it will be difficult to create someone capable of replicating what Shrek brings to the table without it feeling like a cheap imitation.
Shrek’s Donkey Spinoff Can’t Copy One Puss In Boots Decision That Launched A $1 Billion Franchise
Although the Puss in Boots movies helped launch a $1 billion franchise, Donkey’s film can’t copy one choice that made the Shrek spinoff so successful.
The pair work as a great double act, with Donkey’s hilarious and optimistic nature balancing out Shrek’s grumpy and sarcastic personality. This is what made the first fewShrekfilms so popular, and with the later installments failing to utilize this dynamic quite as well, it is no surprise they were less popular. Although Donkey’s energy and charisma seem like enough to carry a movie on its own, it won’t work nearly as well without Shrek and could lose its charm quickly, making it difficult for the spinoff to overcomePuss in Boots: The Last Wish, regardless of Shrek’s involvement.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish follows the titular character as he embarks on a quest to restore his nine lives. Realizing he has exhausted all but one of his lives, Puss seeks the mythical Last Wish, embarking on an epic adventure to rediscover his destiny.
