Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Puss in Boots 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Me-wow.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 21, 2012

I was a bad kitty.

Cats are so much fun. Especially when they multiply. One becomes three, three sadly reduces to two, a stray third wins the heart, three may as well be four, four begets a fifth, and there won't be a sixth. One falls ill, two loves daddy and despises mommy, three hates all, four loves belly rubs, five finds trouble, one recovers to become a raving mad lunatic with a ravenous appetite, and three settles into a split personality that's two parts love and one part Satan. Then there's using the area beside the litter box as the litter box, vomiting on the tax returns, climbing on counters, shredding furniture, playfully or deliberately scratching humans (ahem, three), hiding when company arrives, beating on the bedroom door at all hours of the night, peeing on the bed when they're let in, running through open doors, begging for food, and always looking far too cute. Puss in Boots is the latest from DreamWorks Animation, and it's a cat lover's dream come true, whether for single cat families, multiple cat families, or anyone who loves cutting edge animation. It captures the heart of cat-dom with remarkable efficiency, but that's about the only time it's truly great. Puss in Boots is otherwise a fun but only serviceable animated movie that doesn't look or sound rushed, but its story plays as if a rough version of a primary draft. The end result is a movie that looks and sounds as good as anything out there and that plays with fine ideas that are spread a bit too thin even as the movie clocks in at a mere 80 minutes in length (minus credits). It should have been more, could have been less, but it won't leave many viewers purring with endless delight when it's all said and done.

Three ways to love me in 3D.

At the spectacular Festíval del Fuego, the heroic feline Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas) learns that a pair of larger- than-life outlaws -- Jack and Jill (voiced by Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) -- have come into possession of magic beans, supposedly the same beans for which he has been searching half his life. It seems like a simple enough snatch-and-grab operation. Puss skillfully enters the Jack and Jill residence but his plans are thwarted by the arrival of a second cat burglar, a mysterious masked feline with moves to match Puss' and a cunning that knows no bounds. The operation is a failure; neither cat captures the beans and both barely escape with their lives. Puss learns that his rival is...a girl. She's Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek), a feline as devious as she is sexy. Puss is further surprised to learn that she's in cahoots with none other than Humpty Alexander Dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis), his old schoolmate, once best friend, and long-ago traitor. Both see fault in the other following their last run-in with the law, but Humpty convinces Puss to join him and Softpaws on an adventure to not only steal the beans, but to plant them, climb the beanstalk into the clouds, and recover the golden goose to set themselves up for life. Can Puss trust his former blood brother? Is there really something atop the mythical beanstalk? Can they overpower the much larger and devious Jack and Jill? It's a good thing Puss has nine lives with which to find out.

It's a spinoff of the Shrek universe of films, so it's no surprise that Puss in Boots looks and sounds much like Shrek. Its animation is superb, on the same level as the amazing Shrek Forever After, that film pretty much the standard for non-Pixar digital moviemaking and, frankly, just as good as anything the "Big P" has ever put out. Indeed, Puss in Boots looks astonishing. There's a level of detail, scope, and authenticity that's nothing short of spectacular. Yet unlike Shrek Forever After -- or most any of those scenes from that series in which Puss appears -- Puss in Boots never really takes off, perhaps signaling that the character is best left to a supporting role rather than the center of his own feature film. That's not to say there isn't a lot to like about Puss in Boots -- there most certainly is -- but the end result feels rather sloppy, unable to walk that fine line so expertly traversed by the Shrek films whereby the plot is made largely of overused cliché but given new life through the eyes of unique characters plucked almost at random from the world of fairy tales. The primary plot elements in Puss in Boots feel largely tossed together with only little attention to flow or purpose. The movie aims for grand adventure and spectacle rather than a more cohesive story. Certainly the character development and humor are both strong, but all elements never quite come together as they should.

Indeed, the characters are what drives Puss in Boots. Puss is certainly a wide appeal sort, combining family-friendly "harmless" ferocity with his charming feline antics and an undeniable cuteness. A smooth talker and a Zorro-lite by trade with a knack for getting into and out of trouble, a reputation as a lady's man, and every bit the adventure hero his style suggests, the character is truly special and at home dueling with a foe or drinking milk, flashing his claws or getting what he wants with his wide-eyed kitty cat charm. Humpty Dumpty's character arc doesn't, at first, seem to lend itself all that well to the rotund shape that looks like an advanced version of the old "Sheldon" character from "U.S. Acres;" it's clear the filmmakers were aiming for something out of the ordinary, unassuming, unexpected to take on what is the most complex part in the movie, and for as odd as the character looks they've largely succeeded. Galifianakis' voice fits the character very well, though he sometimes sound a bit like Seth Rogen. The Jack and Jill characters are the biggest surprise, appearing not as children but rather a cross between adult humans and ogres (to keep on with the Shrek connections) who aren't remarkably developed but who at least appear menacing on the surface and somewhat goofy and funny behind the scenes as they're just as concerned about starting a family and caring for their pigs as they are battling Puss and keeping a firm grasp on the magic seeds. The hybrid Bond Girl/Batman Kitty Softpaws is something of a weak point, though, a fair character but not enjoying the purpose of a Humpty or the memorable cuteness of a Puss. The background characters share that same peasant "torch and pitchfork" rough and tumble look to them which, along with the movie's general design and feel, does help cement this as an extension of the Shrek universe rather than merely a standalone sideshow.

Though strongly-realized the characters may be, Puss in Boots stumbles through some slow stretches, unimaginative action, and flat humor. The jokes are best when in direct reference to the feline world; they're hit-or-miss, at best, elsewhere. The action is kinetic but largely replaceable, nothing audiences haven't seen before, even if the film does work in the whole beanstalk thing, Puss in Boots' representation thereof probably the best on-screen adaptation of that entity yet. The major plot twist comes as no surprise and is in fact absolutely predictable once the characters' histories are established, and indeed the entire plot arc is largely linear and by-the-book, the picture obviously counting on the characters, humor, and animation to sell the story rather than offer any sort of meaningful themes. Nevertheless, that absence of originality need be weighed against the fact that a movie like Puss in Boots is meant to be an entertaining vehicle for a particular audience. It will definitely entertain the kids, earn a few laughs from parents, and find some favor with cat people, but it lacks the subtle adult wit of Shrek or the universality of the average Pixar film. It's still a solid movie from start to finish, but chances are many will be left wanting a little bit more.

Puss in Boots 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

DreamWorks scratches out a very strong Blu-ray 3D transfer for Puss in Boots. Needless to say, this presentation mimics all of the goodness from the 2D-only release, itself a spectacular triumph of Blu-ray video. Though as is sometimes the case, the 3D transfer loses just a touch in exchange for the added depth, which is true here. Fine detailing is extraordinary, but not quite as immediately recognizable as perfect. While textures like Puss' leathery hat, wood and stone, and Humpty's body retain the same intricate levels of digital craftsmanship, the image proves a hair darker in spots -- particularly in the already dimly-lit early sequences -- compared to the 2D version and, occasionally, those details become a little masked, maybe a touch muddled. Still, the image passes for extraordinary, with cat fur, desert terrain, and the like immaculately presented, the brighter scenes losing almost nothing to the 3D process. Likewise, colors are bold and steady, with Puss' orange fur coat, golden eggs, metallic armor, yellow chicks, and all sorts of earth tones appearing gorgeously balanced and true. Scant banding appears in trace amounts, not enough to cause alarm. Puss in Boots excels here, but how are the 3D elements?

Fortunately, Puss in Boots looks fantastic in 3D, and the movie plays nicely with the added dimension. Surely, the sense of true depth is the real key here, as it usually is with any good Blu-ray 3D release. There's a natural sense of space in just about all shots, save for the very darkest; whether across the room or across a sprawling desert, audiences will enjoy a firmer grasp on just where the characters are and how they're situated within their environments. Character size and volume are true as well, easily evidenced by every scene featuring the rotund Humpty, the egg-shaped character appearing perfectly round in three dimensions throughout the film. Many other shots prove spectacular. There are several low flyovers of terrain where the ground seems to stretch well beyond the back of the television, nearly giving the viewer the sensation of actually flying over it while looking into the distance. The film doesn't play with too many gimmick effects, but an assortment of gold coins flying about in slow motion in chapter eight, rain appearing to fall out of the screen on the way up the beanstalk, or a flying dagger that seems to start its journey outside of the screen and wind up inside of it will all dazzle. Unfortunately, crosstalk is a rather constant problem, but one that's not excessively intrusive. Mostly, it seems objects not the center of attention in any given scene are most susceptible. Overall, however, this is a glorious presentation that's amongst the better of the current Blu-ray 3D transfers on the market.

Puss in Boots 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Puss in Boots purrs up a storm with a high quality Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack. DreamWorks' audio presentation offers rich, lively music that plays with fantastic spacing, seamless clarity, and an immersive surround element. The track rarely fails to dazzle in all areas, music being only one. Natural ambience is precise and aids greatly in pulling the audience into the adventure. Whether chatter at a pub, light echoing, reverberating footsteps, crickets, or other subtle elements, this track proves capable of placing everything precisely and with attention to detail to match exactly the on- and off-screen action alike. Cat meows, purrs, and hisses are done very well and authentically. Action scenes are wondrously spaced and absolutely immersive, the track making fine use of the entire stage. Cannon fire, crumbling rocks, and other chaotic elements are handled crisply and with great clarity. The only downside is that bass lacks a heavier punch in a few instances, failing to provide that last little bit of oomph to truly make the effects more pronounced and dangerous. Otherwise, the track is immensely impressive, rounded out by clear and accurate dialogue.

Puss in Boots 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Puss in Boots' Blu-ray 3D release contains all of the extras available on the standalone 2D release, all appearing on this set's 2D-only disc. The 3D disc includes Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos and a trailer for Madagascar 3, both, of course, in 3D.

• Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (1080p, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, 1.78:1, 13:05): A short Puss in Boots-inspired adventure.
• A DreamWorks Fairy Tale (1080p, Blu-ray exclusive): A fun little interactive feature in which users can create their own "character rhymes" by selecting from a predetermined list of words. For example, "Little Boy Blue, come roar your guitar. Puss is in the meadow, Jill is in the corn; where is that cat who looks after the cupcakes? Under the haystack fast asleep. Will you wake him? Oh no, Not I."
• Puss' Paw Pouncing Challenge (1080p, Blu-ray exclusive): Players can help Puss pounce on the light by controlling his paws with the remote control.
• The Animators' Corner: Director Chris Miller and Producers Joe Aguilar and Latifa Ouaou host an enthralling picture-in-picture feature that contains looks at storyboards and animation tests and features cast and crew explaining in some detail the animation process, the process of creating environments and characters, the ironing out the plot, voicing the characters, the attention paid to even the most subtle elements to round the movie into shape, character design, resizing Puss from Shrek to the world of Puss in Boots, and much more. This supplement sheds an amazing amount of light on the story and the creative process behind it. This is a must-watch.
• Trivia Track (Blu-ray exclusive): A small banner at the bottom of the screen provides viewers with a wealth of information about the movie, cats, and more. It even keeps track of the number of "Meows" heard in the film.
• Previews (1080p): Madagascar 3, How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular, DreamWorks Dragons: The Television Series, Puss in Boots THQ Game, and The Adventures of Tintin.
• Purr-Fect Pairing: The Voices Behind the Legend (1080p, 9:21): A close look at the work of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, and Billy Bob Thornton.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 7:27): Humpty Plots with Jack & Jill (Test), Humpty Repays His Accomplices (Test), and Puss in Boots Fights the Giant (Test).
• Kitten to Cat (1080p, 12:01): Cast and crew talk up the Puss in Boots character, his story, and his visual progression beginning with the Shrek films and on through Puss in Boots.
• Glitter Box Dance Off! (1080p, 5:01): Human dancers demonstrate the dance choreography as seen in the film.
• Klepto Kitty (1080p, 3:42): Viewers are introduced to "Dusty," a real-life "cat burglar."
• Kitty Keyboard (1080p): Viewers are "treated" to feline keyboard renditions of 3 Blind Mice, Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and Little Boy Blue.
• Fairytale Pop-Up Book (1080p): Viewers may watch "Memorable Moments" from, hear "Favorite Lines" spoken by, view a "Gallery" containing artist renditions of, and learn more about the backgrounds of Puss in Boots, Kitty Softpaws, Humpty Dumpty, and Jack and Jill.
• Kitty Strikes Again (1080p): Viewers are challenged to find the differences between nearly-identical pictures.
• World of DreamWorks Animation (1080p): Music, trailers, and more for Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Megamind.
• Digital Copy.
• DVD Copy.

Puss in Boots 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Puss in Boots is a solid but slightly disappointing Shrek spinoff. The animation rocks and the characters are largely excellent, but the storyline is a bit thin and the jokes are at their best when playing on cat-isms, proving hit-or-miss otherwise. Still, it's a good, relatively clean, fun ride that should entertain the target audience and at least keep mom and dad halfway interested. This is best enjoyed as raw eye candy above all else; check out Shrek Forever After for a far more well-rounded fairy tale-gone-haywire animated adventure and for a movie that doesn't merely lump all its best moments into the trailer. DreamWorks' Blu-ray 3D release of Puss in Boots contains the same spectacular 7.1 lossless soundtrack and fun array of supplements both found on the 2D-only release, adding the short film and a trailer in 3D. The Blu-ray 3D transfer is superb, too, marred only by a bit of crosstalk. This is one of the better overall release of the year to date, even if the movie comes up a bit short of expectations. Recommended!