The topic of death rarely takes center stage in premieres of shows or movies–or at least, it hasn’t been as prominent in the past. However, with modern writing venturing into uncharted territory, the topic of death, along with other unique themes, are slowly making their way into theaters.
Courtesy of HBO Go
As many of us know, previous Shrek movies adhered to a certain writing structure. They were comedy films loosely based on old children's fairy tales. You can tell that the writers had a field day with this title as they reconstructed and provided an upside-down take on what beloved characters are actually like if they were to be encountered in real life. The focus today, though, is on our fluffy and charismatic feline friend named Puss, Puss in Boots.
(Authors note: This article will contain forms of spoilers related to general themes in the film, not specific scenes.)
From Puss In Boots official GIPHY
Its latest installment is quite intriguing. What sets this film apart is its exploration of Puss'b remaining life, countering the age-old notion of cats having nine lives, making them seemingly invincible. In Puss’ case, he has used up all his lives and is left to face Death incarnate in the form of a wolf.
Joel Crawford, the director of this film, aimed to maintain the adult humor seen in its previous movies while introducing a darker tone that delves into Puss' mortality. Think about it – for most of us, death is scary. It is something we want to avoid—we mourn if it crosses paths in our lives. It’s utterly terrifying.
Oh! On a side note for our Filipino readers, the film was co-directed by Filipino-American Januel Mercado. The film earned nominations for the 2023 Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Animated Film. This isn’t Mercado’s first rodeo; he has also worked on films like Kung Fu Panda 2, Penguins of Madagascar, The Lego Ninjago Movie, and more – truly impressive!
From Puss In Boots official GIPHY
Going back to the film, interviews with the creators reveal inspiration drawn from the Brothers Grimm, known for their cautionary tales that explore dark themes to shed light on the brighter aspects of life. In previous titles, we know Puss in Boots to be the savior and mentor, the character that can redeem himself and make everything right – the typical hero's journey.
However, this story unfolds after those adventures, focusing on the realistic instances that can happen to a hero. It covers more internal conflicts that Puss has to face, along with external ones involving the antagonist.
From Puss In Boots Official GIPHY
This is another distinguishing feature of this title compared to its predecessors. Our feline hero was placed on a pedestal, and we witnessed his glory from the sidelines. This time, we have an empathetic connection with him as he explores vulnerability and reflection beneath his fearless facade. It's a refreshing take on the character, to say the least.
I swear, I didn’t shed tears too much in this film!
For those who have yet to see it, I highly recommend adding it to your watchlist. This isn’t a film you can mindlessly watch, but one you can engage with that can leave you reflecting on your own life.
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