User Reviews

I was disappointed to find out that I didn't get to see Puss In Boots but I decided to give it a chance anyway because I love fairy tales. I was curious to see what the makers of this movie had done with the original story of Puss In Boots.

The characters look horrible and the music is awful. The princess annoyed me from the first moment when she started to sing and dance because she's not very good at either and I couldn't stop staring at her giant hips. The king sleeps all the time and might as well not have been there and the queen sounds like a drunken Roseanne Barr throughout the entire movie. The interaction between the villain and his helper was meant to be funny I guess in an Igor/evil doctor sort of way but it completely fails at it.

As for the story; that really disappointed me as well. I had hoped it would be more like the original fairytale. Why are there palm trees, a parrot and ostriches when the story is set in northern Europe? In the original fairytale the ogre is a giant who is a powerful sorcerer and the cat tricks him into changing himself into a mouse so he can eat him and free the people from its evil. I think it's an important part of the story which has completely disappeared in the movie.

Perhaps it works better in French but I highly doubt it.

This European adaptation of the original French fairy tale, 'The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots" by Charles Perrault wasn't that good. Made for the sole reason, to capitalize on, DreamWorks Studios success with the character. The French version of the character was somewhat more annoying than the one, we, Americans got in DreamWorks 2011's version. (Voiced by Richard M. Dumont in the English version/ Jérôme Deschamps in the French version) as the lead cat, this adaptation fells to tell an accuracy story of Puss N' Boots, a cat known to uses trickery and deceit to gain power, wealth, and the hand of a princess (Voiced by Holly Gauthier Frankel in the English version/ Louise Wallon in the French version) in marriage for his penniless and low-born master, Pierre AKA Peter (Voiced by Arthur Deschamps in French/ Daniel Brochu in English). Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, while researching this film directed by Jérôme Deschamps, I found out that a lot people often mistake, William Shatner as the voice of Puss N' Boots, instead than Richard M. Dumont. I can understand why. The movie is now market, as if William Shatner was originally the star. In truth, William Shatner had little to do with the original English dubbing phrase. His name was a last minute, add on, when he show, some interested late into the English distribute process. In the later copies of the English version of the film, the main lead was often redub with his voice, instead of Richard M. Dumont. So, even if you did, a chance to find a copy of this film. It's a 50/50 chance that you might get the William Shatner's version. If not, you find yourself, with Richard M. Dumont's version. I have to say, the William Shatner's version is much, much worst. His hoarse, shaky voice and constant non-verbal noises, makes the film, so unwatchable. He sounds like Winnie the Pooh with a coke addiction. I have to say, regardless, whom voicing whom; the movie story isn't that compelling. It's often very boring with very few flat jokes. It mostly dull exposition dialogue and pure filler. The characters are often portray to be unsympathetic. One of the bigger problems for the film is how the G rated film feels a little too dark for children. I really don't like how the good-guys, royals in this film threaten other characters, by grinding their bodies into meat and then feeding them to liars turn toads. It doesn't help that most of the characters, act out of character as well. A good example of this, is the Jamaican sounding talking chimp, Doc Marcel (Voiced by Mark Camacho in the English version/ Hervé Lassïnce in the French). Why does he act like a racism stereotype who plays music that isn't from that era? Why does the Princess dance around in a ballet dress, all the time? Also, why is the Jester (Voiced by Rick Jones in the English version/Voiced by Philippe Leygnac in the French version), so unfunny and stale, while the over-the-top chamberlain (Voiced by Arthur Holden in the English version/Voiced by Jean-Claude Bolle-Reddat in the French) is so cartoony and strange. In the most bizarre part, of the film, an Ogre (Voiced by Alain Goulem in English version/ André Wilms in French) acts like Cthulhu, whenever he get angry. It really comes out of nowhere. It also doesn't help that he wants to turn into a swan, for no reason. I really don't get it!? Not only does, most of the characters don't make sense. The character animation is kinda ugly-looking and weak. People moves in the film in such an awful slow and non-fluid motion. Visually, the look of the character isn't well done. The characters looks like pus in dirty boots, than Puss 'N Boots. I really couldn't stand looking at them. I do have to say, at least, the background animation wasn't that bad. The surrealism fantasy setting was perplexing interesting, with its random elements taken from both Hebrew, Spanish, and French culture. However, they come with little to no clear assonances. Another problem with this movie is the music, and the songs, they used. They really do butcher, many of the classic music, I love, hearing, such as Beethoven, Mozart, Verdi, Wagner and others. Even modern pop culture are awfully done by them. Overall: I have to say, after seeing many of mediocre films try to piggy-back on the publicity of a major film with a similar title or theme. This movie is one of the worst. This poor attempt of mockbustering, clearly took too much catnip. I don't recommended at all.

My viewing of this film left me in some considerable agony. My sides ached, and spots floated before my vision. My voice was hoarse from my exultant shouts of derision. I expected nothing in the way of quality or craft, and got gloriously less. I would not miss this film for the world, despite its best efforts to confuse and disgust me.

This film is a masterpiece of insanity. Featured within are such delights as amateurish yet fetish-driven character models, an alternately worthless and disruptive supporting cast, and the star of the show Puss 'n' Boots himself, played by one William Shatner who goes to great lengths to avoid recognition or, indeed, approval. The musical numbers are not to be missed for any price. Oft during the film, such provocations as a chance meeting in a bar, the passing glance of the household toucan, or someone walking through a doorway would fling the characters into insane fits of vocalization and rhythmic conniptions, almost mistakable for song and dance. This was my favorite part during which to vomit.

If you have been bereaved since exhausting the traditional list of masterwork films which features Troll 2, Plan 9 from Outer Space, and Flash Gordon (1980)¸ you shall be delighted to know that pieces of the same illustrious stock are still being produced. This gem hails from the year 2009, over 5 years after Shrek 2 popularized Puss, but it still boasts the cover art and pedigree needed to follow up on that handsome-cab of success and to scoop up the droppings of its horses. Gather your friends who most enjoy a good Schadenfreude flick, and let rip.

I.E.'s RATING OF QUESTIONABLE SIGNIFICANCE

The absolute value of the difference between this film's quality rating (0-10) and the mediocrity reference score of 5 is

* 5/5: An intense and memorable experience, well above/below the norm. *

This gem must never be forgotten, however much you may like to.

Mentions of certain characters follow hereafter. POSSIBLE LIGHT SPOILERS lurk beyond!

Puss 'n' Boots was the sad offspring of a fetish and a fart, springing about in inane antics and generally disrupting the flow of the film by his absurd tendency to be the subject of it. Shatner's delivery for this character's voice was one-of-a-kind. It showcased that kind of weak falsetto Granddad uses to voice Ridinghood's grandma for the hundredth time, interspersed with the pained hisses and growls which Shatner emits as the few remaining tatters of his dignity are pincered from his soul. The fact that this final devolution and wreckage of a star is caught on tape will be one of the enduring legacies of our age.

The writer now must note: The film had a multi-million dollar budget. We can assume that a good bit was spent on the animation, which after all is overall fairly unimpeachable. We must deduce that the remainder of the budget went directly into Mr. Shatner's pocket, his name being the sole redeeming element of the cover and credit reel. By all indications, the director of this film accepted whatever William deigned to provide: no human being could have possibly envisioned the resulting voice track as the one perfect characterization of Puss. So must we assume that Shatner pocketed *several million* for a single, lazy take.

The reviewer therefore retracts any aspersions relating to the good name and dignity of Mr. Shatner. He acted after that ancient dream of man's deepest heart: to gain fat stacks in return for one afternoon's (minimally effacing) goofership. Good money if you can get it, and more power to him.

A protagonist exists. He is called Peter, and he owns the titular Puss. His goal in the story is to do whatever the cat tells him. He eventually develops the perfunctory interest in the perfunctory princess, yet essentially keeps his perpetually morose eyes locked on his feet as if trying to find out where they're taking him, and why along such sparkly boot-prints.

The wondrous non-hit "La La La etc." is our introduction to the princess, whose physical shape is the product of a very desperate concept artist considering a viola for too long. Her propensity to commit wanton singing, her deep and abiding contempt for the protagonist, and her toleration of the subtle and sympathetic villain (gag) combine to form one of the most aggravating characters conceivable within the limits of a sane mind.

The Villainous Court Chamberlain reads like a book, making the film easier to comprehend for audiences other who lack the benefits of being young children. The Chamberlain is jealous of the princess, is physically unattractive, and has very stupid hair. He is otherwise nearly visually indistinguishable from this reviewer. Oddly, no character ever explicitly mentions that he is, in fact, a bloodthirsty goblin. This is not the only case of either mass blindness or lack of essential discrimination: At no point in the film does a character think it amiss that the protagonist's cat is a perverted, irritating, lying, manipulative guttersnipe.

The Court Jester: The princess's confidant is a horrible little imp with an incongruously soft, babyish face. He idly climbs columns and capers atop items as a monkey is wont, but always with the same somber judgment in his eyes, preventing any hilarity at his antics. His involvement in the film's affairs is mostly aimed to the perpetual virginity and enhanced haughtitude of said princess. The jester is more terrifying a monster than I have ever imagined.

Quotes:

The Villain, in conversation: "DO YOU LIKE TOADS? GIGANTIC, OOZING TOADS?"

Peter, long after it had become the sole driving force in his life: "I can't tell the truth; I promised my cat!"

The villain, and me the next time I find myself at a loss: "I HATE YOUNG MEN!"

First, I didn't realize there is a french version -- I'm glad I found its page. Turns out the Shatner version doesn't come up with a IMDb search. I didn't try to hard, so feel free to reply with a link. But that version was done I think in 2011, which is why HULU says that. But that is also when the Banderas version was done. Which *is* findable on IMDb.

The plot is very simple -- with the main character being lead along and just reacting to what the cat does. And the cat has a plan.. but always depends on luck to make it happen. Like taking a castle from an octopus / squid mage who can shape change but is brought back to ogre form by music.. which he is getting sick of. But he really wants to be a swan. Which allows the new Marquis to claim the castle for himself? The boy refuses to lie, but also refuses to tell the queen the truth, and is situationally saved every time. I suppose the way out there plot might be OK for very young kids..

Acting / voice wise.. Shatner was horrific. I kept thinking that Mr. Boots needed adjustment time, and he'd become suave by the end. But no -- his horrific singing and 'acting' closed out the movie. The princess wasn't much better, but she was a much smaller part, and actually hit notes while she sang. The Ogre's character didn't make sense. The queen was boorish (was that Rosanne Bar?), the king a lump. The chamberlain cartoonishly evil and ugly., but not in a good way.

Eh. I'll have to wait a little to digest this one, but I look forward to the Banderas version.