Warning: Contains potential SPOILERS for Puss in Boots: The Last WishAfter more than 10 years without a movie, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proves that the future of the Shrek franchise is finally looking bright. Starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, Puss in Boots 2 follows the feline hero as he searches for The Wishing Star, a mystical artifact that will grant its possessor anything they desire. With only one life left, Puss is desperate to preserve his legacy by restoring the other eight. However, everyone from Little Jack Horner to Goldilocks and the Three Bears is also trying to claim it for themselves. The subsequent adventure proves that there is hope, not just for Puss in Boots‘ future, but for the original Shrek franchise.
Fans have been waiting for Shrek 5 to come out for over a decade, but aside from a few comments made by Mike Myers and Antonio Banderas, no solid news has indicated the movie will be resurrected from development hell. Puss in Boots 2 is the best Shrek movie in years thanks to its strong cast of lovable characters, gorgeous animation, and engaging story, elements that the recent Shrek films have struggled to balance. Luckily, there are many indicators that the future of the Shrek franchise is in good paws, beyond the success of Puss in Boots 2.
Puss In Boots 2 Proves Shrek Has A Movie Future
Despite being available to stream for weeks, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish continues to be successful at the box office, indicating that the Shrek franchise has a cinematic future. If fans will flock to see Puss and his adventures long after it’s been released, then it stands to reason that enough interest remains in the Shrek franchise to get started on putting together another film. Thanks to its incredible box office endurance, it seems like Puss in Boots 2 makes Shrek 5 a real possibility, despite hitting so many roadblocks previously.
The Shrek movies have suffered from a lack of direction, with one pop culture reference after another held together by flimsy storylines. Puss in Boots 2 has a strong narrative focused on friendship and mortality, with Puss realizing that what makes life worth living are the people he cares the most about, even if he only gets one lifetime to cherish them. While the first Shrek focused on themes of prejudice and acceptance, subsequent sequels haven’t used its unique brand of humor to examine more mature themes. By following the Puss in Boots blueprint, Shrek 5 can return to what made the franchise great to begin with.
How Puss In Boots 2 Sets Up Shrek 5
In the final scene of the movie, Puss, Kitty, and their new friend Perrito have stolen the governor’s ship with a plan to sail away on their next adventure. Puss in Boots 2 sets up Shrek 5 by revealing that once they’re in open waters, the next kingdom that they’ll encounter is none other than Far, Far Away. At this point, Puss explains to Kitty and Perrito that he needs to “see some old friends,” implying that they’ll be making a stop to see Shrek, Fiona, and their children.
The acclaim for Puss in Boots 2 from both critics and audiences all but guarantees a Puss in Boots 3, but it’s entirely possible now that the capstone for the Puss in Boots trilogy could help bridge the gap between the spin-off and the original Shrek franchise. The next Shrek movie can even pick up a few tips from the way Puss in Boots 2 focuses on crafting a meaningful narrative rather than relying on the same old elements to carry it. Thanks to Puss in Boots: The Last Wish setting the stage for an epic reunion, Shrek 5 could be the start of an exciting new adventure with everyone’s favorite characters together again.