Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) Full Experience in Motion & Story

 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) – Full Review, Cast, Fan Reception, and Legacy

Once in a while, an animated film comes along that surprises everyone — not just because of its visuals or voice cast, but because it dares to say something deeper. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, released in December 2022 by DreamWorks Animation, is exactly that kind of film. What started as a spin-off sequel evolved into one of the most celebrated animated movies in recent years.

Blending swashbuckling adventure with emotional storytelling, a fresh animation style, and a cast of lovable characters (plus one unforgettable villain), The Last Wish didn't just meet expectations — it soared past them.

📺 Watch the Full Movie Below

🧭 Plot Summary: The Last Life of a Legend

Our hero, Puss in Boots, once fearless and flamboyant, is forced to face a sobering truth: he’s down to his last life. Having recklessly spent the previous eight, Puss realizes that death is no longer an abstract idea — it’s real, and it’s coming for him.

Retiring to a quiet cat sanctuary, he plans to live out his remaining days in peace. But when he hears of a fallen Wishing Star that can grant any wish, he seizes one last opportunity to reclaim his lives and glory.

Joining him on this final quest are:

Kitty Softpaws, his ex-partner and love interest

Perrito, a naïve yet brave therapy dog

And rivals like Goldilocks and the Three Bears Crime Family, and the menacing Big Jack Horner

As the group races through magical forests and booby-trapped trails, Puss must learn the true value of one life — and what really matters in it.

🎭 Voice Cast and Characters

🐱 Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots

Effortlessly charismatic, Banderas brings the swashbuckling cat to life again — but this time with vulnerability and depth. He balances humor with existential fear in one of his best voice performances yet.

🐾 Salma Hayek Pinault as Kitty Softpaws

Returning as Puss’s sly and skilled counterpart, Hayek gives Kitty an edge of hurt and hope, highlighting their broken relationship and chance for reconciliation.

🐶 Harvey Guillén as Perrito

The breakout star. Perrito’s sweet, endlessly optimistic nature stole hearts. Guillén voices him with such warmth and innocence, he quickly became a fan favorite.

🐺 Wagner Moura as The Wolf (Death)

Chilling and unforgettable. With piercing red eyes and a haunting whistle, the Wolf isn’t just a villain — he’s Death itself, a metaphor for fear and fate. Moura’s voice is calm yet terrifying.

🧁 John Mulaney as Big Jack Horner

This greedy, over-the-top villain added comic relief with a dark twist. Obsessed with magical items, Jack Horner is both ridiculous and dangerous.

🧒 Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone as Goldilocks and the Three Bears

A criminal “family” with surprising warmth and charm. Florence Pugh shines as Goldilocks, torn between loyalty and longing for a real home.

🎨 Animation: A Bold New Style

DreamWorks made a stylistic leap with The Last Wish. Abandoning the polished CG look of the first Puss in Boots, the studio embraced a more painterly, hand-drawn aesthetic — similar to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Key elements:

Dynamic Frame Rates during action scenes

Watercolor-like backgrounds during emotional moments

Stylized character motion, giving the film a fairy tale feel

The result? A unique visual language that feels both fresh and timeless.

Role	Name	Notable Work
Director	Joel Crawford	The Croods: A New Age
Co-Director	Januel Mercado	Directorial debut
Writers	Paul Fisher, Tommy Swerdlow, Tom Wheeler	The Grinch, Second Act
Producer	Mark Swift	Madagascar 3, Captain Underpants
Executive Producers	Chris Meledandri, Andrew Adamson	Despicable Me, Shrek
Music Composer	Heitor Pereira	Minions, The Smurfs
Editor	James Ryan	Kung Fu Panda 3
Cinematography	Chris Stover	DreamWorks Animation
Casting Director	Linda Lamontagne	Artios Award Nominee

The team crafted not just a fun adventure, but a soulful experience. Crawford and Mercado brought emotional nuance, while Pereira’s score ranged from swashbuckling to sorrowful.

💵 Budget, Box Office & Streaming Success

Production Budget: $90 million
Backed by a major studio, the film’s budget allowed for high-end animation, celebrity voice casting, and wide theatrical distribution.

Worldwide Box Office: Over $484 million
Despite mixed initial reviews, the movie gained strong momentum globally, earning impressive returns and solidifying its place as a commercial success.

Streaming Performance: Breakout hit on Peacock, then Netflix
The movie saw renewed popularity thanks to streaming platforms, where younger audiences rediscovered it. On Peacock, it trended as a featured title; later, on Netflix, it maintained a spot in the platform’s Top 10 during its debut week.

📈 These numbers reflect not just ticket sales, but the power of digital platforms to extend a film’s cultural impact long after its theatrical run.

⭐ Ratings & Awards Spotlight

🎬 IMDb

Rating: 6.2 / 10

Praised for animation and character heart; mild criticism on depth.

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes

Critics: 50%
Audience: 49%

Strong visuals appreciated; story received mixed reactions.

📊 Metacritic

Critics: 53 / 100
Users: 5.8 / 10

Animation praised; storytelling noted as uneven.

🎞️ Letterboxd

Rating: 2.8 / 5 stars

Fans loved the retro vibe, but missed deeper emotional arcs.

🏆 Recognitions

• 🎖️ Annie Award nominations for Writing and Storyboarding
• 🎤 Young Artist Award nomination for Best Voice Performance
• 🎬 Artios Award nod for Casting in Animation Feature
• 🌍 Streaming success on Peacock and Netflix, revitalizing interest

📣 Though not an awards darling, Astro Boy 2009 sparked emotional nostalgia and continues to find fans through digital platforms.

🏆 Awards & Nominations

🎬 Academy Awards

Submitted For: Best Animated Feature (82nd Oscars)

Unfortunately, not nominated—but showcased among eligible animated contenders of 2009.

🎨 Annie Awards

• 🏅 Best Writing (Feature) – Timothy Harris & David Bowers
• 🏅 Best Storyboarding – Sharon Bridgeman

Recognized for excellence in animated storytelling and direction.

🎤 Young Artist Awards

Nominee: Freddie Highmore for Best Voice-Over Performance

His portrayal of Astro earned praise for emotional clarity and charm.

🎭 Artios Awards

Nominated For: Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Animation Feature

Casting director Linda Lamontagne celebrated for her work on Astro’s ensemble.

🌟 Cultural Impact

• 📺 Gained renewed fame through Peacock and Netflix streaming waves
• 📊 Featured in “Underrated Animated Films” lists post-2010
• 🎨 Celebrated by fans for its character design and Tezuka legacy

🎬 While Astro Boy didn’t dominate awards, it left a lasting mark on the animation world—especially among legacy anime lovers.

❤️ Fan Reception: Instant Classic

Fans adored:

The Wolf: A terrifying yet poetic embodiment of Death

Perrito: The purest, happiest character DreamWorks has ever made

The animation: Fresh, vivid, rewatchable

The story: Emotional, smart, and funny

Online forums, YouTube reactions, and social media were filled with praise, fan theories, and even cosplay. Memes about “The Whistle” (the Wolf’s chilling intro) went viral.

🎯 Why It Stands Out

Not just a kid’s movie: Mature themes like mortality, love, and regret

Innovative animation: A true evolution of DreamWorks’ style

Iconic villain: The Wolf is now a legendary animated character

Heart and humor: Strikes a rare emotional balance

🏢 About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks, known for Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon, has reinvented itself with The Last Wish. After a few quiet years, this film marked a creative comeback, proving the studio’s still capable of competing with Disney and Pixar.

📌 Final Thoughts

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is more than a sequel — it’s a cinematic surprise that blends action, humor, and heart with a bold artistic vision. Whether you’re a longtime Shrek fan or new to the franchise, this film has something for everyone.

With its emotional core, memorable characters, and standout animation, it’s easy to see why this film became a modern animated classic.

Have you seen The Last Wish yet? Let us know in the comments which character was your favorite, and what moment surprised you the most!