I didn't know how badly I needed this movie in my life. An adorable cat, and Christopher Walken singing and speaking (and dancing) as the gentlemanly human form of that cat? Add in the superb production design, art direction, and costume design (not to mention gorgeous filming locations) bringing to vivid life a medieval fairy tale setting, and I'm immediately in love after only a fraction of the runtime has elapsed. It's silly, lighthearted frivolity from the very start, and inescapably charming: 'Puss in Boots' is a delight!
Walken's characteristic comportment and manner of speaking have possibly never been more joyful, and I wonder if he's ever had as much fun as he is here, especially as he adds discrete feline traits into the mix. Everyone else in the cast is having a good time, too, certainly including Jason Connery, Elki Jacobs, Carmela Marner, and Yossi Graber, and from one to the next they likewise demonstrate terrific skill in every necessary capacity (but there's no doubting who the star is). All are so enabled by the remarkable wit and intelligence in Carole Lucia Satrina's screenplay, above all in the endlessly playful dialogue and scene writing - though the characterizations are scarcely a half-step behind in that unremitting sense of merriment. The songs are a real treat, too, in their cheerful chords, to say nothing of Anne Pearson Crosswell's lyrics, or Christine Oren's choreography where a measure of dance is incorporated. Any stunts, practical effects, and instances of action are orchestrated with marvelous finesse; post-production special effects and particular uses of editing are a little less than seamless, yet still fit within the tenor of the production. It's also worth mentioning swell hair and makeup work, and fine cinematography - really, in every regard this is splendidly well made, and director Eugene Marner ties it all together with a gentle but practiced guiding hand.
Sprightly humor is peppered liberally throughout, not just through Walken's role as the title character but in further situational humor, sight gags, and clever quirkiness. The songs themselves are a blast, not least ensemble piece "Genteel" which spotlights Walken, Connery, (Carmela) Marner, and Jacobs trading off lines about expectations of the upper class. To that point, my great commendations to husband-wife and director-writer team (Eugene) Marner and Satrina for sharp editing skills, and the sound department also had their work cut out for them in keeping all the many varied parts tight and balanced, but they nailed it. All this is on top of already ceaseless gaiety and good-natured reverie that permeates the entirety of the feature, and the supreme dexterity of the cast, crew, and filmmakers only cements and accentuates how 'Puss in Boots' is dazzlingly, wonderfully fleet-footed and warmhearted from top to bottom.
One could possibly argue that the narrative is marginally imbalanced as the sands of storytelling shift away for much of the length from the plot that is initially introduced. To Satrina's immense credit, however, every last component is woven together with exquisite grace, and thus do we get a story swirling together adventure, romance, comedy, and fantasy that never, ever loses sight of the beating heart of joviality that keeps the picture going. Yes, it's all simple, straightforward, and rather neat and clean, but such is the nature of fairy tales. So much tremendous hard work went into every last facet of this film, and for as painstaking as the endeavor undeniably was, the viewing experience is fabulously smooth and vibrant across the board. The sum total of all this rich buoyancy and lively spirit, nevermind utmost effort, is an unfailingly gleeful, endearing, entertaining, and satisfying movie, something that surely can be enjoyed by one and all. These 96 minutes pass astoundingly quickly, and from beginning to end every second is momentously glad and inspired. I've watched many titles that were filled with sparks of brilliance, and still this is a stellar gem that outshines many others. What more can I possibly say? 'Puss in Boots' is phenomenal, profoundly underappreciated, and a classic that is truly a must-see. My congratulations to all who participated in this feature's creation, and my highest, heartiest, most enthusiastic recommendation to all comers!
Walken's characteristic comportment and manner of speaking have possibly never been more joyful, and I wonder if he's ever had as much fun as he is here, especially as he adds discrete feline traits into the mix. Everyone else in the cast is having a good time, too, certainly including Jason Connery, Elki Jacobs, Carmela Marner, and Yossi Graber, and from one to the next they likewise demonstrate terrific skill in every necessary capacity (but there's no doubting who the star is). All are so enabled by the remarkable wit and intelligence in Carole Lucia Satrina's screenplay, above all in the endlessly playful dialogue and scene writing - though the characterizations are scarcely a half-step behind in that unremitting sense of merriment. The songs are a real treat, too, in their cheerful chords, to say nothing of Anne Pearson Crosswell's lyrics, or Christine Oren's choreography where a measure of dance is incorporated. Any stunts, practical effects, and instances of action are orchestrated with marvelous finesse; post-production special effects and particular uses of editing are a little less than seamless, yet still fit within the tenor of the production. It's also worth mentioning swell hair and makeup work, and fine cinematography - really, in every regard this is splendidly well made, and director Eugene Marner ties it all together with a gentle but practiced guiding hand.
Sprightly humor is peppered liberally throughout, not just through Walken's role as the title character but in further situational humor, sight gags, and clever quirkiness. The songs themselves are a blast, not least ensemble piece "Genteel" which spotlights Walken, Connery, (Carmela) Marner, and Jacobs trading off lines about expectations of the upper class. To that point, my great commendations to husband-wife and director-writer team (Eugene) Marner and Satrina for sharp editing skills, and the sound department also had their work cut out for them in keeping all the many varied parts tight and balanced, but they nailed it. All this is on top of already ceaseless gaiety and good-natured reverie that permeates the entirety of the feature, and the supreme dexterity of the cast, crew, and filmmakers only cements and accentuates how 'Puss in Boots' is dazzlingly, wonderfully fleet-footed and warmhearted from top to bottom.
One could possibly argue that the narrative is marginally imbalanced as the sands of storytelling shift away for much of the length from the plot that is initially introduced. To Satrina's immense credit, however, every last component is woven together with exquisite grace, and thus do we get a story swirling together adventure, romance, comedy, and fantasy that never, ever loses sight of the beating heart of joviality that keeps the picture going. Yes, it's all simple, straightforward, and rather neat and clean, but such is the nature of fairy tales. So much tremendous hard work went into every last facet of this film, and for as painstaking as the endeavor undeniably was, the viewing experience is fabulously smooth and vibrant across the board. The sum total of all this rich buoyancy and lively spirit, nevermind utmost effort, is an unfailingly gleeful, endearing, entertaining, and satisfying movie, something that surely can be enjoyed by one and all. These 96 minutes pass astoundingly quickly, and from beginning to end every second is momentously glad and inspired. I've watched many titles that were filled with sparks of brilliance, and still this is a stellar gem that outshines many others. What more can I possibly say? 'Puss in Boots' is phenomenal, profoundly underappreciated, and a classic that is truly a must-see. My congratulations to all who participated in this feature's creation, and my highest, heartiest, most enthusiastic recommendation to all comers!