Puss in Boots, 2011

Puss in Boots, 2011
Director: Chris Miller
Cast: Antonio Banderas (voice), Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis


Stage: Home theatre


Puss in short: Years before meeting Shrek and Donkey, the adorable but tricky Puss in Boots must clear his name from all charges making him a wanted fugitive. While trying to steal magic beans from the infamous criminals Jack and Jill, the hero crosses paths with his female match, Kitty Softpaws, who leads Puss to his old friend, but now enemy, Humpty Dumpty. Memories of friendship and betrayal enlarges Puss' doubt, but he eventually agrees to help the egg get the magic beans. Together, the three plan to steal the beans, get to the Giant's castle, nab the golden goose, and clear Puss' name.


Preps: None in perticular. It is a hot one at the movies at this point.



Reality: Miaow. Who can resist Banderas' voice? Well, noone. Me not excluded. It is a privilege to imagine how Banderas looks like when he animates the cartoons. The same goes for soft Hayek's voice. I loved the two together in some scenes. Besides, Puss has a good story - following the legend of the golden goose and eggs, Jack and the Beanstalk, Humpty Dumpty. It has a story of a good friendship come to end because of betrayal, finding the right path and then reunion. After that, a downfall in the true cartoon spirit (the famous curve of happiness, which is beaten down by a bad guy or bad deed, and happy ending at the end. A classic, per se.
In this case, the humour is present at most of the dialogues, in a unique, ironic, not imposting way. I love the way the two cats dance around each other, falling slightly in love. And the spanish Banderas temperament is obviously seen here. I also hardly waited to see the look the cat gives to make everyone around faint of cuteness. It is really good to see a nice separate movie that makes Puss famous instead of just tagging around in Shrek. It wasn't really as splendid as I expected, but I love the way it is presented, the flow and energy. I just cannot get bored with this cartoon, therefore I claim it is a good one. It is a side fact that I am a cat lover and for that reason it is even more appealing for my point of view. But in general, the animation is good, the dialogues are witty, the music is splendid and it has more than one saying (proverbs) come true or being a part of the story. All in all, I cannot see a way someone would go with a bored mind and spirit after seeing this. Am referring, of course to the true american voices. Nothing synchronized - I despise this way of making a good movie more user friendly to the market. You should always leave the original voices and original pronounciation. Otherwise, you neglect the positive impact the director had in mind when choosing the cast and diminish their role.


My personal rating: 6,0 (mmmmmiaow! a good one. worth my time!)


Puss on IMDB

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 2009

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 2009, animated
Directors: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Cast (voices): Bill Hader, Anna Farris, James Caan



Meatballs in short:The most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain.

Stage: Home theatre, sunday morning entertainment


Preps: This piece of action is currently running in our local cinema, with a lot of success with the kids. I was curious what the fuss was all about and I am generally a fan of cartoons or animated movies.


Reality: Meatballs plays with child's fantasies - in sense that everyone would love to see their favourite food raining from the sky. However, the adult version is that the food must come on a plate, in its predicted shape, otherwise it's no good.

The animated action kindly reminds us of the importance of being good to your parents and the unrevealed truth that they mock us just to inspire us and that you are supposed to know they love you no matter what the shape of that love (read: things they say to you) is. I don't really buy that, however, for this animation it's good enough. As good as the idea of having a cheesburger running into your hands, falling from the sky - untouched (and we know how solid a hamburger is if you throw it somewhere). I was a bit surprised that all the food that is coming from the sky, is typical american junk food. We are in times when healthy food is marketed and you see reminders of "home grown veggies", "cerealed bread with dark wheat", "yogurt-like sweet stuff", "fruit instead of desert", anyhow, in this cartoon I get a feeling that we all long for marshmallows, hot dogs, cakes and candies, ice cream..

Typically american, I claim again. However, your kids will enjoy it, I am pretty sure, just be prepared to take them into the nearest McDonald's afterwards (maybe they sponsored the movie anyway, so it seems). And what's wrong with sardines? I don't get this part. The cartoon is an anti-sardine campaign. Still, much healthier than cheeseburger. But I don't suppose that was the point of the directors. Living up your dream, even if the dream might kill people or lead to the disaster and then repaying in a Bruce Willis (Armageddon) style, that was the idea, I guess.

My personal rate: 6,0 (as said, Armageddon of donuts and cheesburgers, tornado of spaghetti (the meatballs derive from the spaghetti), and a romance between a weird local scientist and a weather girl.. well, it might amuse you.)

Meatballs on IMDB
Check out the cool official site - truly a storm of food. Also, a food selector, to make it rain the food of your choice (I believe in my case it would be cheese and olives)