In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, we look at important motifs that help us understand the film.
Cast
- Puss in Boots – Antonio Banderas
- Kitty Softpaws – Salma Hayek Pinault
- Perrito – Harvey Guillén
- Wolf/Death – Wagner Moura
- Goldilocks – Florence Pugh
- Baby Bear – Samson Kayo
- Papa Bear – Ray Winstone
- Mama Bear – Olivia Colman
- Big Jack Horner – John Mulaney
- Ethical Bug – Kevin McCann
- Mama Luna – Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Important motifs in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
The map and the Wishing Star
Most people have some highly desired thing they wish for, thinking that if they only had “it” then the rest of their life would fall into place. But it never really works that way. Our lives are the sum of many, many parts. Often, whatever void we feel has more to do with our outlook than it does the acquisition of some missing piece. Money won’t necessarily mean you’ll find good friends and true love. That dream job doesn’t mean you’ll have someone to spend your life with. On the flipside, having someone to love doesn’t mean the rest of your problems disappear. If you continuously look ahead and sacrifice to make a wish come true, you may miss out on the many valuable things already in your life.
But Puss in Boots: The Last Wish also indicates that the pursuit of a dream can be beneficial. It does bring Kitty and Puss close. It does bond him and Perrito. It does help Goldilocks find a sense of peace with her family situation. The journey is, as the cliche goes, more important than the end. So we should wish. We should strive. But we need to take the time to appreciate where we are and what we have, when we’re there and while we have it. Otherwise it’s a recipe for regret.
The Dark Forest
The Dark Forest changes characteristics based on whoever has the map. When Puss has it, the key locations are The Valley of Incineration, Undertaker Ridge, and the Cave of Lost Souls.
When Kitty has it, the locations change to: Swamp of Infinite Sorrows, Mountains of Misery, and The Abyss of Eternal Loneliness.
When Perrito touches it? Pocket Full of Posies. River of Relaxation. And, lastly, Field of Quick & Easy Solutions.
Notice that Puss’s all relate to death. Kitty’s all relate to isolation and loneliness. And Perrito’s are all happy. The map acts as a reflection of the soul. And both Puss and Kitty are in negative, hurt places. While Perrito, despite all he’s endured, is pretty happy with what he already has. The path to the wish is easy for him because he’s carefree in life as a whole. While Puss and Kitty have to struggle through all of these emotional roadblocks.
It begs the question: what would each of our maps look like? And how can we find a way to be more like Perrito? Not as much of a punching bag. But to have an outlook that allows us to be at peace where we’re at, even as we strive for more?
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