Puss In Boot 2’s Real-Life Connection Proves Animation Isn’t Just For Kids

A newfound connection between Antonio Banderas and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proves that animation is important for audiences of all ages.

This article contains potential spoilers for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has a deep connection to the life of Antonio Banderas that proves that animation is not only for children. Starring Salma Hayek Pinault, Wagner Moura, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Harvey Guillén, and John Mulaney alongside Banderas, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is one of Dreamworks Animation’s most successful movies. As well as grossing nearly half a billion dollars worldwide, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has garnered a fantastic response from both critics and audiences alike for its unique storybook-inspired visual style, poignant story, and surprisingly mature themes.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘s reception strongly contrasts that of the rest of the later films in the Shrek franchise. Shrek Forever After and Shrek the Third had considerably more negative reactions than the other films in the series, thus, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish acts as a return to form with its widely appealing messages. A connection to the real life of Puss in Boots’ voice actor, Antonio Banderas, only proves how the movie explicitly shows that animation is for everyone, not just kids.

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Puss In Boots 2 Has A Real-Life Connection To Antonio Banderas

In a Radio Times interview (via NME), Banderas revealed that he had a heart attack in 2017. The actor stated that this was “one of the best things” that happened to him, as it gave him clarity on what he truly saw as “important” in his life and career. Banderas’ heart attack parallels Puss in Boots’ brushes with the terrifying, grim reaper-like Wolf (Wagner Moura), after losing eight of his nine lives in the movie. Read Antonio Banderas’ full comments below:

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish sees its titular character confront his own mortality, much like Banderas did, following his heart attack in 2017. Banderas even claimed that Puss in Boots’ arc in the sequel was “probably” based on his own real-life experiences. The actor reprising this role, 11 years after the original Shrek spinoff was released, proves that Puss in Boots: The Last Wish truly has an important message about death, and the perspective it can provide, that resonates with all audience demographics.

Why Puss In Boots 2’s Plot Is Important For All Ages

Antonio Banderas’ newfound connection with Puss in Boots proves that The Last Wish, and animation in general, can relate to audiences of all ages, not just children. While animation is most popular, at least in terms of box office, when it is explicitly marketed towards children, the medium is used to tell stories that are important for everyone. Animated movies such as Persepolis, Flee, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish prove this, on top of countless animated series and anime. Audiences of all ages can relate to Puss in Boots’ mortality, and the perspective it provides to him in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

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