Swashbuckling adventure features irresistible warrior cat.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Products & Purchases
some
As a spin-off of the Shrek franchise, this movie has a built-in system of merchandise that includes apparel, toys, video games and more.
Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
Puss calls himself a "lover" and in the opening sequence is shown tip-toeing out of a female cat's house (he "dresses" with a belt, hat, and his signature boots). The female cat sighs as he leaves. Later Puss and Kitty Softpaws dance, flirt, and rub noses. At a nightclub full of cats, Puss flirts with the lady cats. Jack and Jill are a couple and are shown in bed together. At one point Jack and Jill discuss the subject of starting a family, and they agree to practice on their little pet pigs.
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A few characters are injured (and shown later hilariously bandaged up), and one character decides to let go of another character who plummets to their death. As with all of the Shrek movies, there's peril that features sword play and occasional gun/cannon violence. One tense scene involves characters being pursued by a mysterious monster, who ends up being less scary than anticipated. None of the violence is bloody, but it might upset younger or more sensitive viewers. The main characters are also orphans, which, while practically ubiquitous in animated movies, disturbs some children.
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The movie's positive messages include the power of redemption, the importance of unconditional friendship and the love between mother and child, and how everyone has a choice to make the right decision.
Positive Role Models
a little
Most of the characters -- Puss included -- are rather ambiguous from a moral/ethical perspective: They're outlaws or they're hiding something from others. At least Puss and Humpty's adoptive mother, Imelda -- who never stops missing or loving her sons -- are consistently steadfast. And in the end, Puss, Kitty, and Humpty all redeem themselves in different ways.
Educational Value
very little
Kids will learn some words in Spanish that Puss repeats again and again. The relationship between Puss and Humpty will remind children of how peer pressure can go wrong and ruin a friendship.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this spin-off of the popular Shrek franchise has some mild innuendo, cartoonish violence, and one character death. Tense/perilous scenes include several duels, an elaborate "dance off," a cannon/gun fight, a "monster" chase, and a character who willingly plummets to their death. There are a couple of double-meaning jokes and a repeated mention that Puss is a "lover," as well as a funny conversation about starting a family between the villainous Jack and Jill. Overall this animated adventure is aimed at kids young and old, although families with adopted children should note that (once again) the main character is an orphan. The 3-D factor makes a couple of scenes slightly more intense, but it's nothing overly dramatic, so you won't miss out if you catch it in 2D. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
I agree with as lot of others who are mildly critical: definitely way too much adult sexual innuendo (or aftermath: Puss sneaking out on his "conquest") that's completely unnecessary, and too much violence for small children (though I know many parents around me are completely desensitized to that and don't worry about it).
That said, my 9yo loved it, watched it like 5 times over the course of a month, and then got into the animated series (sigh). The good news is that the sex references seem to have gone totally over her head - or maybe the questions are still gestating. Younger kids are likely to ignore it all. I guess on the plus side it could open up opportunities to talk about one's values as related to sex - just be ready for it.
I'm surprised there's no mention of the rough language. At one point a character says "what the hell". The word "crap" is frequently in the dialogue and they use beeping over curse words like it's funny. Add in the sexual references and it's just not appropriate for younger kids.
What's the Story?
In this Shrek prequel, audiences meet "outlaw" cat Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas), who was once his small town's hero (having earned his signature boots as a thank you for saving the town from catastrophe) but is branded a criminal after unwittingly participating in a heist with his orphanage bosom friend, Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis). The two friends meet via Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), a cat burglar whom Puss is instantly attracted to, and team up to steal three magic beans from the scheming Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) in order to plant the tree and access the golden goose and her magical golden eggs. But once the goose is secured, Puss realizes Humpty has ulterior motives, and Kitty must choose between her agreed-upon caper and her heart.
This extremely enjoyable animated adventure boasts a purr-fect leading performance by Banderas. Unlike Shrek, which is more of an ensemble with a cast of zany fairy tale supporting characters, PUSS IN BOOTS is definitely Puss' story, with the occasional zinger from the secondary players. The in joke of reuniting Desperado costars Banderas and Hayek, who have chemistry even in animated feline form, is a bonus treat for their fans, as is the hilarious dialogue between the frighteningly unattractive Jack and Jill -- voiced with smoky Southern drawls by Thorton and Sedaris.
Puss is known for rendering foes and friends speechless with his adorably huge eyes, and that's pretty much how this entire movie feels -- that kitty is irresistible with his charms, whether you're a fetching animated feline or a rapt audience member. Milking his Spanish accent for all it's worth, Banderas has created a lovable character who, like Zorro, is roguish but righteous, sexy but sweet, and completely unforgettable. Although there aren't as many fresh fairy tale characters here as in the Far Far Away tales, this spin-off stands on its own paws with an entertaining and endearing adventure that both kids and grown-ups will enjoy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's message that it's our choices who make us who we are -- not whether we're labeled as "good," "bad," or even "wanted" by the law. How do Puss and Humpty change throughout the movie? What is their friendship's lesson about revenge and honesty?
Do you need to be familiar with the Shrek movies to enjoy this spin-off? Do you think there should be more Puss adventures, or should there be another spin-off from the original Shrek flicks?
Shrek products are available everywhere, so Puss in Boots is likely to be featured on everything from pajamas to video games. If you like Puss and his pals, does seeing him on merchandise make you want to buy them more? How can you avoid getting sucked into the commercial aspect of a movie?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
