The True Story of Puss 'N Boots

I have become incensensed to write this review due to the unbelievable poorly infiromed reviews this film has unfairely received. 1. this is not a shrek off shoot. This film was made and released in 2009 while the shrek off shoot was made in 2011 so how does this film get comments that this film is a rip off? 2. The animation in this film in my opinion is exceptionally good - just look at the water reflections etc. to see. 3. No one has the right to dictate that others should not see a film due to their own opinion (singular - boards of films otherwise) so please do not state 'don't bother to watch this film'. 4. in my opinion this is a wonderful film that I have watched many times. Yes the music may not appeal to every one but I personally like this music and it works well. If you do not like something then please do leave a comment but please don't state that others should not bother to watch or listen to a film as that is not your judgement to make,

True, it's got nothing to do with Shrek. If you start watching with Shrek in mind, you'll be disappointed, because it's not on that wavelength.

It has few of the instantly recognisable 21st century American pop culture references that made Shrek so engaging to multitudes of adults, who expected to be bored by kid's animation (that's not to say I don't like Shrek, I do, but at the same time there's space for other animation that doesn't follow the same path). Instead it taps into generations-worth of historical European references.

What it does have is a gentle humour and a wild imagination. I love the opening water shots, the Chamberlain's beetle wing cloak, and the Ogre's transformations (which reminded me a little of Tim Burton's output) - the animation's beautifully imagined and executed. Unlike other viewers I didn't notice any misdubbing/ lack of sync - just too engaged in the film I suppose.

Not so keen on the princess's exaggerated body shape, and the jury's out on whether the drunken queen was aimed at kids or parents, and whether it was entirely appropriate, but it just added a sharp little edge...

Also I'm not entirely sure why the princess's songs sometimes weren't dubbed into English but remained in French (I suspect the wordplay translates badly so they just didn't bother).

Overall - it's a story of boy loves girl, cat believes the means justifies the end, girl wants boy to come clean, boy doesn't but he lands on his feet anyway. So, not the clear-cut shining moral examples we're so used to from Disney etc either.

Was it a thin storyline? Were the song n dance routines superfluous (aren't they always?)? Maybe, but I do enjoy a gently paced film that's a joy to the eyes and doesn't test my brain too much.

I started watching with trepidation after reading a few reviews - which are mixed. But it was engaging, and I enjoyed it (as an adult).

If you start with an open mind, it's worth the effort.