PUSS IN BOOTS

Puss in Boots: the movie. On first contact, the idea smells remarkably like a meowing cash-cow. And after the relative failure of the third film in the Shrek series, surely moviegoers could be forgiven for suspecting Puss in Boots of being little more than a studio’s way of breathing new life (and dollars) into a spent franchise.

Whether or not that is true, Puss is not without its charms. Antonio Banderas reprises his role as the voice of the feline Fabio, ably supported by Salma Hayek as the love interest, Kitty Softpaws, and Zach Galifianakis as Puss’ childhood friend, Humpty ‘Alexander’ Dumpty. Mercifully, the film steers far away from the well-worn green ogre and donkey sidekick storyline, introducing plenty of fresh (if still familiar) characters and moving the action to a Spanish storybook setting.

Puss in Boots won’t set your world on fire, but there is plenty in it to enjoy. The animation is great (skip the 3D), and for kids, the messages and morals are as good as they get. Sure, Puss is no Shrek, but you have to concede that they were always going to be pretty big boots to fill. (KSo) **1/2