Puss in Boots – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Puss in Boots

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2011

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Antonio Banderas voices a swashbuckling cat with serious honor issues in this perfectly fine DreamWorks spinoff.

6.6/10

85%

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Puss in Boots

movie

PG, 2011

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Antonio Banderas voices a swashbuckling cat with serious honor issues in this perfectly fine DreamWorks spinoff.

6.6

85%

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6.6/10

85%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a perfectly competent DreamWorks spinoff that does exactly what it sets out to do: give the scene-stealing cat from Shrek his own adventure. The animation holds up reasonably well, Banderas is delightful, and the fairy tale mashup is clever enough.

That said, it's not essential viewing. The story is formulaic (outlaw seeks redemption, old friend betrays him, learns the value of true friendship), and while the execution is solid, nothing here will blow your mind. The 85% critic score feels a bit generous by today's standards—it's more of a 'yeah, that was fine' movie than a 'wow, we need to watch that again' movie.

If your kids loved Shrek or are into swashbuckling adventures, this will entertain them just fine. If they're ambivalent, you're not missing much by skipping it. It's the cinematic equivalent of a well-made chicken nugget: satisfying in the moment, forgettable by tomorrow.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12. The action and humor land well for elementary schoolers, though some teens might enjoy it nostalgically or as background viewing. Adults won't be bored if they're watching with kids, but it's not appointment viewing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models themes of redemption, honor, and friendship through Puss's journey to restore his reputation. Shows cooperation between unlikely allies. Some cartoon violence and mild innuendo keep it from being squeaky clean, but overall tone is positive with emphasis on making amends and loyalty. The 'outlaw' framing and some bar/tavern scenes add edge but nothing deeply problematic.

Imaginative

Creative spin on fairy tale lore with the Golden Goose quest, blending multiple storybook elements. The animation style (for 2011) was visually inventive, and the swashbuckling adventure format encourages imaginative play. The concept of a charming outlaw cat is inherently whimsical. Not groundbreaking, but solid fairy tale world-building that sparks interest in classic stories.

Safe

Rated appropriate for age 6+ by Common Sense Media. Contains cartoon action violence (sword fights, chases) but no gore or graphic content. Some mild romantic tension and flirtation between cat characters that's played for laughs. A few mildly scary moments (giant goose, chase sequences) but nothing traumatic. No surprise deaths or deeply disturbing content. The 'outlaw' theme and bar scenes might raise eyebrows but are handled in a cartoonish, non-realistic way.

Enriching

Core themes of redemption, honor, and friendship offer some moral weight. Explores consequences of past actions and the value of trust. However, it's primarily an action-adventure romp without deep philosophical content. Entertaining but not particularly thought-provoking. The humor and adventure keep kids engaged, but takeaways are fairly surface-level: be loyal, own your mistakes, don't let others define you.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Charming protagonist with a redemption arc that models owning your mistakes and rebuilding trust
Fun fairy tale mashup with creative world-building (Jack & Jill as outlaws, Humpty Dumpty as an egg-friend)
Solid animation and action sequences that keep the pacing lively
Antonio Banderas brings genuine charisma to the voice work
Themes of friendship, loyalty, and second chances without being preachy

⚠

What to Watch For

Cartoon sword fights and chase sequences—nothing graphic but younger kids might find some moments intense
Mild flirtation between Puss and Kitty Softpaws (it's cats being romantic, played for comedy)
Bar/tavern scenes with the 'outlaw' vibe—cartoonish but some parents might prefer to skip
A few mildly scary moments with the giant goose and chase scenes

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Puss cared so much about what the town thought of him?"
"Have you ever had to rebuild trust with a friend after messing up? What did you do?"
"What would you do if you found the Golden Goose?"
"Why do you think Humpty felt so angry at Puss? Was he right to feel that way?"

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