Puss in Boots (Shrek)

Concept and creation Puss in Boots is loosely based on the title character of the fairy tale with the same name. Character designer Tom Hester provided Puss's design, which was based on cats owned by Shrek director Andrew Adamson and effects supervisor Ken Bielenberg. After Antonio Banderas had been cast as Puss's voice, the Shrek animators analyzed his performance as the title character in The Mask of Zorro (1998) for insight into Puss's depiction. Inspired by Banderas's Zorro, the filmmakers decided to make Puss's origins Spanish (instead of the fairy tale's Italian and French). When computer-animating Puss, new animation tools were required for his fur, belt, and the plume on his hat. Chris Miller, head of story of the film Shrek 2 (2004), said that he enjoyed the character of Puss as much as viewers seemed to; he and everyone else involved in Shrek 2 wanted to add more scenes related to Puss to the film. Miller described Puss as "a really cool, dynamic sidekick character at that time", saying that the filmmakers had decided to link the character to a "weird history" in which he had been "everywhere" and done "everything". He and the other filmmakers wondered what the story of Puss would look like and why he had his accent. According to Miller, writing and developing Puss had been "so much fun", and the character had a "huge impact" in Shrek 2 by stealing so many scenes. Puss repeatedly mentions "some great adventure" (without details) in the Shrek films, and Miller wanted to know more about his origins (such as where his boots came from). who had "always stood out", soon after the character had been created, Banderas was offered the role. Miller commented that the actor's performance was "pretty brilliant". began considering "the idea of possibly continuing with the character in the Shrek series" and creating a film with Puss as the protagonist. Katzenberg called Puss a "scene stealer" and said he "seemed to beg for his own film" after his first appearance in the Shrek franchise. Miller knew that Puss was suitable for a standalone film, Miller was happy with DreamWorks's decision to create a film about Puss and excited to contribute to its production. Although the filmmakers initially wanted to bring cats to the DreamWorks studios to study them for the development of Puss, the DreamWorks staff suggested watching YouTube cat videos instead. According to Miller, YouTube was the filmmakers' "great resource" of inspiration to which they added their "personal experience". "Spaghetti Western style and structure" also inspired Puss's character, The filmmakers decided to give Puss "a heavy story" in Puss in Boots; Puss's backstory was meant to indicate the "heaviness on his mind and in his heart", and why he was on the run despite his "cool life". Doug Langdale, executive producer of the television series The Adventures of Puss in Boots (2015–2018), said that in the series Puss fights "a lot more" compared to the films; he is depicted "more as a master swordsman with lots of extra punching, kicking and action". He said that since Puss is a "hero", the series focuses on his saving people and defeating "bad guys". Banderas said that his initial motivation to voice Puss was that he enjoyed the first Shrek film. According to the actor, he was chosen for the role of Puss because of his Spanish accent. According to Banderas, he was on Broadway for the musical Nine when Jeffrey Katzenberg approached him about taking the role. The Shrek 2 filmmakers showed him "a lot of paintings of the character", and he realized how "little" Puss was. Banderas said that he had developed a strategy for playing Puss after accepting the role, which had determined Puss's personality. Although he could have used a high-pitched voice for Puss, which was the filmmakers' original idea, including the use of ceceo (the "Castilian lisp"), reflective of Banderas' origins. When he was at the Cannes Film Festival for Shrek 2, Banderas noticed that Puss's character received much public attention. Banderas said that he wanted Puss to keep "his mischievousness and edginess" in this film since viewers enjoyed "the edgy side" of the character. Eric Bauza voiced Puss in the Netflix series The Adventures of Puss in Boots. Bauza said that he had auditioned "fair and square" for Puss's role (despite having worked with executive producer Doug Langdale on another show) and had enjoyed working with the production team. He said he had been asked to do a motion capture as Puss before the start of the series, adding that "to embody that character, physically, was so tough". Bauza said that he had "watched a lot of Antonio's films", had imagined how he would have performed on certain occasions, and had tried to be as "unpredictable"; Sogliuzzo voiced Puss for 36 episodes, and Christian Lanz voiced Puss for 8 episodes of Puss In Boots Shorts (AKA NEW Puss in Boots on YouTube Peacock Kids) which is a 3-year series of vlog-type one-minute spots wherein Puss gives advice to his fans. Christian Lanz won the 2016 Winner Voice Arts Award for Outstanding TV Animation, Best Voiceover for "Epic Cat Battles with Puss in Boots." The meowing sounds Puss makes in the films were provided by Frank Welker. Characterization Miller characterized Puss as "a fiercely loyal and honorable cat". He further described him as "half lover, half fighter" and as "a bit roguish and a bit of a troublemaker". Langdale said that Puss is a "character anyone can relate to", which makes him "great". He said that "on the surface, Puss is the coolest guy in the world", "great at everything", "saves and protects people", and "seems like he can defeat anyone", despite "this wonderful vulnerability" due to him being "tiny". According to Langdale, Puss is "just a regular-sized cat in a people-sized world" with an "elephant-sized" personality. Banderas described Puss as "a little bit mysterious", with "a sweetness"; he added that the character "knows how to make people jealous" and "can be manipulative with just his eyes". According to Banderas, viewers could identify with Puss's attempts to obtain something. Banderas said that Puss is a "womanizer" who courts "the lady cats", and enjoys having a female "in front of him that can fight as hard as him". He stated that Puss is "so little", and the actor enjoyed his "contrast in size" with Shrek. == Appearances ==

Shrek 2 Puss makes his first appearance as a supporting character in the film Shrek 2, Shrek Forever After Puss is present in the film Shrek Forever After, at the beginning of which he attends the first birthday party of Shrek and Fiona's children. In the alternate universe created by the film's antagonist, Rumpelstiltskin, and entered by Shrek, Puss has gained weight and is Fiona's pet after his retirement. Realizing that Shrek has feelings for Fiona and knows about her curse, Puss befriends Shrek. When Shrek, Fiona, and the other ogres in this universe are captured, Puss and Donkey save Shrek and Fiona; Puss is a key participant in the later battle against Rumpelstiltskin and his allies. Shrek returns to his real universe, where Puss as his usual self enjoys the birthday party with the other characters. Puss in Boots The film Puss in Boots is a spin-off from, and prequel to, the Shrek films. After he was abandoned as a kitten, Puss finds shelter at an orphanage in the Spanish town of San Ricardo and is adopted by Imelda, the caretaker of the orphanage. He becomes friends with Humpty Alexander Dumpty, another resident of the orphanage who gives him the name "Puss" and with whom he decides to find the magic beans that would bring them to the Golden Goose. Puss performs a heroic act, for which he receives acclaim and his boots. His bond with Humpty begins to fray, and Humpty compels Puss to unknowingly rob the town’s bank. This causes Puss to become a wanted fugitive and leave San Ricardo; years later, he learns who owns the magic beans and plans to steal them. He meets a cat who also wants to steal them: Kitty Softpaws, Humpty's partner. Humpty asks Puss to join them in their search for the beans, and Puss eventually accepts. They find the beans, plant them, and a beanstalk brings them to a castle in the sky. They find the Golden Goose and return with it to the ground. Puss returns to San Ricardo, where he realizes that Humpty has been plotting against him. Puss is arrested, and he learns that the Golden Goose's mother will come and try to retrieve it. With Kitty's help, Puss escapes, confronts Humpty who unleashes his wounded pride to Puss, and they reconcile. Humpty sacrifices himself to allow Puss to save the Golden Goose and return it to its mother (preventing the town's destruction), and Puss and Kitty escape the town guards. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Puss is once again the title character and protagonist in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, a sequel to the 2011 film Puss in Boots; in the sequel, having used eight of his nine lives, Puss begins a journey to find the fabled Wishing Star and use it to restore his lost lives. == The Adventures of Puss in Boots ==

Puss is the protagonist of the Netflix series The Adventures of Puss in Boots, protecting the Spanish town of San Lorenzo from intruders after accidentally breaking the spell that was meant to defend it; he is also present in Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale (2017), a television special included in the series. Other appearances Puss is present in the short film Far Far Away Idol (2004), singing a part of the song "These Boots Are Made for Walking"; he also appears in his own music video of this song. He also appears in the television special Scared Shrekless (2010), participating in a storytelling contest to frighten Shrek on Halloween; Puss tells a story with Donkey, but they cannot agree on a version. Puss appears in the short film ''Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular (2010), singing his version of the song "Feliz Navidad". Puss is also present in the short film Thriller Night (2011), in which a zombie version of him is shown. He also appears in the short film Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (2012), training three kittens and leading them to the right path. He is present in DreamWorksTVs vlog-style short webisodes. He has appeared on Jeopardy!'', being the first computer-animated character to provide an entire category in the show. Puss can be seen in a commercial parodying an Old Spice advertisement. Puss is a playable character in several Shrek video games, such as Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, Puss in Boots, Shrek SuperSlam, ''Shrek Smash n' Crash Racing, Shrek n' Roll, Shrek 2: Beg for Mercy, Shrek's Carnival Craze Party Games, and Shrek Kart. He also appears in the video games Shrek: Dragon's Tale, Shrek the Third: Arthur's School Day Adventure, and Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur''. A tie-in video game for the character's 2011 film, Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots, has been released as well. He also appears as a playable character in DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing video game. Puss makes a cameo appearance in Shrek The Musical, during the "Travel Song" scene. He has appeared in different stage shows, including one at the Duluth Depot, and another at the Universal Studios Singapore theme park. Puss has two theme park rides based on his franchise, the Puss in Boots' Giant Journey roller coaster at Universal Studios Singapore, and the Puss in Boots Sword Swing at Australia's Dreamworld theme park. Puss has appeared in meet-and-greet locations across several Universal theme parks around the world. Universal Kids Resort will include a themed land based on the Puss in Boots franchise. == Reception ==

Critical response Critical reception of Puss has been generally positive, with reviewers praising his portrayal in the films and describing him as "cute", "suave", "lovable", "charismatic", "feisty", "engaging", "legendary", "an instant charmer", "a notorious adventurer", and "the world's greatest feline swordfighter". He was also regarded as "smooth-talking", "heroic", "honorable", self-confident, "passionate", loyal, According to Holden, Puss is not "as clear-cut a personality [in Puss in Boots] as he was" in the Shrek films. and "a self-deprecating, sometimes bumbling but ultimately dashing swordsman". and Scott Collura of the same website said that Puss "remains dignified and cool" in Shrek Forever After despite his weight gain. The character has been regarded as a source of comic relief. Critics have stated that Puss is similar to Zorro, because of him being a "swashbuckling", Pepé Le Pew, and Tarzan. The character's design has been discussed and praised, with Jesse Hassenger of PopMatters calling Puss a "spry, well-dressed" cat. she described him as "a tabby cat decked out in tiny Zorro duds". Todd McCarthy called Puss "a short orange critter with green eyes, feathered hat and large boots", and as a "d'Artagnan hat". The character has been regarded as "tiny", with a Spin South West writer calling him "small in stature, but huge in personality". Katharine M. Rogers wrote in her book titled Cat that while Puss is "an ostentatiously fierce swashbuckler", he is also able to "instantly melt any opponent by gazing at him", using his "steady, confiding gaze"; Jesse Hassenger described Puss as a "swashbuckling cat with the trappings of an actual feline, like purring and looking adorable to disarm enemies". and another Empire writer also praised Puss's ability to widen his eyes. IGN writer Jeff Otto wrote that Puss "can give the most adorable wide-eyed look" to "lure" his enemies into "his vicious swashbuckling attacks". Reviewers have provided comments regarding the character's popularity. Steven Lebowitz of AXS said that Puss was "just as popular as Shrek", Ashley Rodriguez of Quartz also described Puss as a "popular Shrek character". Tech Times writer Robin Parrish called Puss "everyone's favorite Shrek sidekick". "the most hilarious new character", the "most memorable character", and "the best character of all". Stephen Holden wrote that although Puss "has his charms", "he is not as memorable a character as Shrek or Shrek's mouthy sidekick, Donkey", Puss was ranked 11th on Empires top 50 animated film characters list. Matt Fowler found Banderas "perfectly suitable as Puss", Jeff Otto said that Banderas "lends a fantastic energy to the character", making viewers "wish for more of him". According to an Empire reviewer, Puss was "voiced to perfection by Banderas". They stated that while Banderas's "on-screen persona" had been based on "his sensuality and body image", he then exchanged this representation for the image of "an animated ginger cat". he mentioned that both accents sounded "funny" to their respective target audiences. Merchandise Merchandise based on the character has been released, including plush toys. The company Funko has launched vinyl figures depicting Puss. McDonald's toys inspired by Puss have also been produced. Pez candy dispensers based on Puss have been created as well. Backpacks that portray Puss on their print have been released, and articles of clothing inspired by him have also been produced. A Monopoly game based on Puss and other Shrek characters has been invented. == References ==