The feisty and heroic Puss in Boots from the successful Shrek films gets a chance to star in his own feline-filled film in “Puss in Boots.” The story reveals the cat’s complicated life before meeting Shrek, and shows Puss in Boots transform from a kitten in an orphanage into a wanted outlaw through plenty of mishaps and adventure.

As in the previous Shrek films, Puss in Boots is masterfully voiced by Antonio Banderas. His spirited performance brought the animation on screen to life and his Spanish accent adds flair to the suave cat’s character.

It is indisputable that Banderas was the star who carried the successful execution of the film. Along with him, other well known actors contributed their voices to the film, including Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, and even Billy Bob Thornton.

The storyline of Puss in Boots was extraordinarily unpredictable and presented numerous twists. The best thing about the plot was that it was a completely fresh story, especially compared to the last couple of Shrek films which were beginning to feel overplayed.

Despite being distinct from the Shrek films, Puss in Boots incorporated the key to their remarkable success, that being the combining and playing off of many classic fairytales to develop a new story. The fables Puss in Boots drew inspiration and characters from include Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Surprisingly, none of the classic Shrek characters made so much as an appearance in Puss in Boots, but the additions from the other tales led to the introduction of many new characters that were fascinating and captivating. The most so was Kitty Softpaws, voiced by Salma Hayek, the expert female fighter and cat burglar that quickly becomes the charming Puss in Boots’ ultimate love interest.

Puss in Boots was very fast paced and entertaining. The film made great use of animation, particularly when the cats erupting into frequent and incredible dancing scenes, as well as during the thrilling action segments.

Its witty and clever humor makes Puss in Boots an amusing and pleasurable film for those of all ages. If you enjoyed the original Shrek films and had an affinity for Puss In Boots’ character, then you will undoubtedly love this engaging and unique addition to the series.

Aran Kirschenmann, 15, is a contributing writer for the Bellevue Reporter and a sophomore at The International School in Bellevue. You may reach and connect with her on her Facebook page “The Young Critic.”