Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the swashbuckling cat. After a splashy opening song and a quick getaway, Puss discovers that he’s blown thru 8 of his 9 lives and sets out to get the titular wish. Along the way he picks up some additional supporting characters. The visuals are vivid and colorful, but that’s pretty standard for animations these days. What gives this film its oomph is the pacing, which keeps the action moving. Even though some of the new assortment of individuals has fun delivery, the biggest missing element is comedy. Ever since Trek, these films are usually crammed with clever quips and snarky references. There are some here, but it lacks punch and punchlines. Still, there’s enough energy for those who want another experience with the franchise. 
(3 / 5)
