The True Story of Puss 'n Boots

Review

Common Sense Media says

Truly awful version of the classic fairy tale.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
3
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is not related to DreamWorks' Puss in Boots, and is of severely lower quality. For the most part, the characters are ugly and unlikable; some scenes are scarily grotesque with dark music and arch villains. One leading female character is portrayed as drunk throughout. The other female characters are drawn in low-cut, revealing necklines, and extra-round bottoms. There's lots of cartoon action with the villains chasing, attacking, and capturing various innocents along the way. In an early scene the hero's father bequeaths his estate to his sons and then dies with little fanfare and no grief expressed.

  • Educational value0
    Intended to entertain, not educate.
  • Positive messages0
    While some positive messages about living a fearless life and being honest are sprinkled throughout, the movie's unappealing characters and muddled story nix any redeeming value.
  • Positive role models0
    No one behaves in any way worthy of emulation or respect. Parental figures are a queen who always appears drunk and a king who is never awake. Late in the game, encouraged by a princess, the hero realizes that he should be honest.
  • Violence & scariness2
    Lots of dark, ominous music leading the main characters through tunnels and caves in several sequences. An ugly, cackling Chamberlain who has the power to turn the princess' suitors into toads. Additional villains lurks in the form of the grotesque Ogre with octopus tentacles. There are chases, spear-wielding attackers, a toad strapped to a chair as food is catapulted into his mouth against his will, a haunted house-like ride, flashing lights, and lackluster battles between Puss and the bad guys. However, despite all the bluster, there's never any real threat to anyone.
  • Sexy stuff1
    One romantic kiss at the finale. Some of the animated female characters are drawn with large bosoms, exaggerated hourglass figures, and often dance and move in provocative ways. The hero emerges from water, having been robbed, and wearing no clothes. He covers himself with a large hat.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    While not associated with the DreamWorks release of Puss in Boots, the character in this movie is easily mistaken for the big-budget one, which has an extensive marketing campaign and associated products.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    A barroom scene shows some characters drinking from mugs and flagons. The Queen is portrayed throughout as a slurring drunk, though she is never shown drinking.
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What's the story?

The miller's youngest son is in love with a beautiful princess. When the miller dies and leaves the boy only a saucy cat in red leather boots, his chances with the girl of his dreams are dim. But the cat has other plans. He conspires and swindles, cajoles and sweet-talks his way into the royal court with the lowly miller's son in tow, only to encounter the evil forces of The Chamberlain and The Ogre who have other plans for the beautiful lass.

Is it any good?

 

Loosely based on the Charles Perrault fairy tale, everything about this film is sub-standard. Nothing is original, clever, or memorable. William Shatner's falsetto, improvisational performance as Puss will disappoint even his most loyal fans.

The story as rewritten is not easy to follow. Characters are sent on missions that have no purpose. People appear in unlikely places and disappear without explanation. The iconic cat seems to have no magical powers and certainly has no charm. An effort has been made to update this story with a modern-day princess and modern dance moves, but since nothing else has been modernized, it's a wasted effort.  There is really nothing at all to recommend this sorry version of the classic story.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about why fairy tales appeal to kids. Why is it fun to imagine magical places where wishes come true and everything ends happily ever after? What are your favorites?

  • Lots of fairy tales are known for their "helpers," like fairy godmothers and animals. Other than Puss 'n Boots, who are some of the best known of these helpers? What do they do for their masters and what do they have in common?

This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
Kid, 10 years old
November 17, 2011
AGE
6
 
its really.........
what its saying kinda is you can do anything if you put your mind to it overall its a preety good movie i like it it was finnny and it is suitable for all veiwers but sad things happen but not too much so alll is well for this movie :)
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Parent
December 9, 2011
AGE
2
 
a charming film...
don't listen to everybody else - better than most family films! is you think this is related to shrek, it's not, it's another one. people may be dissapointed, but if you give this film a chance you will love it!
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Kid, 10 years old
February 25, 2012
AGE
2
 
My mum got it for me
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Helped me decide (3) | Had useful details (3) | Read my mind (4)
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Kid, 10 years old
February 25, 2012
AGE
2
 
puss
i am 9 years old and i am listening to it now rat tap tap she has a nice voice the princess has!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Teen, 16 years old
May 27, 2012
AGE
2
 
a rip-off of dreamwork's Puss In Boots!!!!Awful!
this is the worst phase 4 films movie EVER
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This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
Studio:Phase 4 Films
Directors:Jerome Deschamps, Pascal Herold
Cast:William Shatner, Yolande Moreau
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:79 minutes
DVD release date:October 4, 2011
MPAA rating:NR
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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