CHRIS MILLER
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBB.
USA, 2011. DreamWorks Animation. Story by Brian Lynch, William Davies, Tom Wheeler, Screenplay by Tom Wheeler, based on a character created by Charles Perrault. Produced by Joe M. Aguilar, Latifa Ouaou. Music by Henry Jackman. Production Design by Guillaume Aretos. Film Editing by Erika Dapkewicz. Academy Awards 2011. Golden Globe Awards 2011. Washington Film Critics Awards 2011.
The adorable sidekick who stole scenes from the sequels to Shrek is given his own film, in an adventure that provides the back story leading up to his first encounter with the ogre and the donkey. Antonio Banderas once again voices, with equal measures wit and warmth, the feline superhero who makes an enemy of Humpty Dumpty in his attempt to steal Jack and Jill’s magic beans for his own benefit. On the road to success he is challenged by the prowess of Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), the declawed adventuress whose desire to get the booty for herself makes our protagonist’s life difficult as he is drawn to her like the world’s most potent catnip. Lots of puns both visual and verbal, terrific animation and a plot that bounces along quickly will thrill the kids and give the grown-ups a few moments of passing fun.
