A story about the events leading up to the sword fighting cat's meeting with Shrek and his friends.
While it might lack any surprises, Puss In Boots offers more fun than any fifth entry in a moribund franchise could be expected to offer.
Prescriptive holiday animation for hijas, hijos, and little amigos.
Like most kittens, it's not always perfectly behaved, but at least this new Puss adventure doesn't have you reaching for the cinematic spray bottle. And thank goodness the spin-off does nothing to neuter the charismatic cat's appeal.
There’s not much plot to stretch over 90 minutes and rather a lot of padding – sword fights, flamenco dancing fights and verbal duels are all covered, along with some gentle meta-references to the seductive romancings of James Bond and the westerns of Sergio Leone.
There's mileage in the Puss in Boots character yet – as long as kitty finds a way to be more witty next time.
Puss in Boots can stand tall and expect another life or two.
Forgettable feline fun.
Curiosity may not be a desirable quality in a cat, but this film would have benefited from a bolder, more innovative mindset.
It's all amiable stuff, with a perfectly decent script, and the feline hero lapping his milk gets an indulgent laugh. Perhaps not if you're a dog person.
Shrek spin-off is cute and entertaining, but betrays a lack of imagination.
No great surprises in the storytelling or digimation, but it's perfectly OK.
Puss in Boots is diverting enough to keep younger kiddies happy without punishing parents – and in a holiday season during which a third Alvin and the Chipmunks film is imminent, that’s a blessing in itself.
Far from purrfect.
An attractive adventure yarn...rather dragged out.
The best jokes (Puss's trademark wide-eyes, lapping milk from a shot glass) keep getting repeated, which doesn't help the suspicion that we're in the realm of diminishing returns.
General release. Check local listings for show times.