"Puss in Boots": one-paragraph review

A Dreamworks production that takes place in the Shrekiverse, where fairy-tale characters live and breathe and interact with regular humans, "Puss in Boots" is the story of an orphaned Spanish cat who fights for justice and honor but who, through circumstances that were not his fault, becomes an outlaw. The 2011 film was directed by animator Chris Miller. It stars Antonio Banderas as the eponymous Puss, Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws, and Zach Galifianakis as the ovoid Humpty Alexander Dumpty, fellow orphan and childhood friend of Puss. Through a long flashback, we discover that Puss and Humpty became fast friends at the orphanage, but later, when Puss reacted on instinct and saved the Commandante's mother from being trampled by a charging bull, the friends' life-paths began to diverge. Humpty went into a life of crime while Puss, who received boots that were a symbol of honor, went into law enforcement. Humpty tricked Puss into helping him rob a local bank, though, and when the Commandante (Guillermo del Toro) saw Puss with Humpty, he assumed the worst about Puss. Puss is now out to clear his name, and he thinks he can do this by pursuing a legend that Humpty had told him about: using magic beans to ascend to the sky, where a giant, a Great Terror, and a goose resided. Not just any goose, but one that magically lays golden eggs. Bringing back a few eggs to restore what Humpty had robbed from the bank could put Puss back in the town's good graces. The problem is that Humpty himself is still avid for the beans and eggs, and along with Kitty Softpaws (who was declawed in her youth, hence the name), Humpty wants Puss on his team. Puss, still angry at being betrayed by Humpty, initially refuses, but Kitty Softpaws proves too attractive and seductive, so Puss gives in. Hijinks ensue as we discover that Humpty might still be the same criminal he'd become years ago. Overall, this was a good and watchable film, loaded with the standard amount of Dreamworks humor that works for both kids and adults (the "finest Corinthian leather" joke will resonate with the older crowd who remembers Ricardo Montalban). The visual comedy was at times hilarious, and I had a few laugh-out-loud moments. You do have to get used to the idea of Spanish-speaking voice actors speaking mostly in English, but aside from that awkwardness, the story is entertaining, saturated with a flamenco- and tango-tinged score. It was also good to see Banderas and Hayek reunited after being paired together in "Desperado." Not a bad film for people of all ages. It won't change your worldview, but it will divert you for 90 minutes.