Heartwarming / Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

"This was it. The day a little orphan girl broke into our cabin and stole our hearts. The day when our world became just right."

"You know, I've only ever had one life, but sharing it with you and Kitty made it really special. Maybe one life is enough?"

— Perrito

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish may be one of the darkest DreamWorks Animation movies yet, but it still carries out a lot of moments that will warm up your heart. Especially thanks to a certain character who brings the positive outlook on life.

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

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• While Baby Bear's boast wasn't very imaginative, he definitely stopped Horner from blasting Mama Bear with his wizard staff. Even Jack saying "it's bear season" further justifies his intervening.
• As a child gets taken by the Sleeping Giant of Del Mar, Puss vows to save the child, and even agrees to save the governor (albeit, in Puss's words, "If it's convenient!"). Despite his ego, Puss does have a good heart when protecting the common people.
  • Before that, Puss' party in general. Yes, it's another way for him to boost his big ego, but he also invites all of the townspeople to said party and pays them with the Governor's gold (their tax money).
• The doctor being genuinely concerned for Puss's well-being. Despite Puss brushing off the doctor's good intentions, he's nothing but patient and stern for the cat's needs. He even gives Puss some cat treats after the visit.
• When Puss's lives flash before his eyes during his first encounter with Death, amongst the glimpses of his own bravado we see images of him being presented his boots by Imelda and adventuring with Shrek and Donkey. For all his ego, he still treasures his mama and his dear friends.
  • When it happens again during the climax, the flashes he gets aside from Imelda are only of his loved ones in his current life (Perrito & Kitty), showing off his Character Development over the movie.
    Death: What's the matter? Lives flashing before your eyes?
    Puss: No. Just one.
    • To drive it even further, when Puss lifts his head to say the above line, his hat moves to reveal Kitty and Perrito behind him.
• Kitty teaching Perrito how to do a cute face. After seeing Kitty do hers, Perrito says he already trusts her and Puss, and doesn't need the cute face to convince him.
  • Not to mention, despite Kitty’s trust issues also extending to Perrito upon first meeting him, it doesn’t take her long to become fond and protective of him, such as immediately telling Jack to let him go when the former captures him or running to catch Perrito when he’s thrown backward by the ring of Hellfire Death creates to trap Puss on the Wishing Star.
  • This even extends to Puss, when Perrito goes to chase the stick Puss threw away and is taking a while to come back, Puss is visibly worried a bit, which Kitty teases him that he cares for him, which Puss denies.
  • When Perrito explains his backstory to Puss and Kitty, although he misses the horrifying implications of it himself, where his previous owners tried to drown him, Puss and Kitty are both instantly horrified by it. This is the point where their attitude towards Perrito changes going forward, and instead of treating him with annoyance and disdain they show him actual respect and kindness. Kitty even immediately says Perrito deserves the wish more than either of them does, though he declines since he doesn't know what to wish for himself and is happy with what he has already.
• Puss, after seeing the Wolf and fleeing for his life again, has trouble calming down his heart and hyperventilates. Perrito finds Puss during his panic attack and worries for a bit before setting his head on Puss, providing Puss the therapy he needed to calm down.
  Puss: (after recovering from his panic attack) Thank you, Perrito.
  • When Puss describes what happened in Santa Coloma to Perrito, Kitty ends up overhearing him express sincere regret and shame for his actions, and appears genuinely touched. She even plays the situation off like she had just shown up, so that Puss could personally apologize to her when he felt comfortable, and keep up his "macho" image, which he had just mentioned having insecurities about due to his fear of Death.
  • Perrito in general is an absolute bundle of warmth and positivity, and every character he interacts with (save for Jack Horner, who in his own words is “dead inside") can’t help but warm up to him. Despite having an extremely rough upbringing before meeting Puss and Kitty, he fully appreciates the little he has and tells Puss in the climax that just being with them is enough for his one life, reinforcing the movie’s message.
• Perrito mentioned earlier in the movie that he was never given a proper name, so Kitty and Puss simply call him “little dog” in Spanish. As the three sit and watch the stars together at the end of the movie, both Puss and Kitty enthusiastically suggest real names for him, but he decides to stick with “Perrito” because “that’s what [his] friends call [him]”.
  • Earlier in the film, Kitty playfully teases Puss over growing fond of Perrito. She even says, "I think you're ready to name him."
• Just after they take the map back, Puss and Kitty are immediately horror stricken when they realize the Bears have Perrito. Even as they get separated, Puss tells Kitty to focus on saving Perrito.
• The entire family dynamic between Goldilocks and the Bears. Their relationship is a combination of Happily Adopted, Criminal Found Family, and Even Evil Has Loved Ones to the fullest extent possible. Goldilocks in this version was Happily Adopted by the Three Bears and for all their criminal acts and occasional bickering; they legitimately care for one another.
  • Even when Goldi admits that her wish is to have a "real" family because she feels she doesn't belong with them, the Bears are obviously hurt but continue to help her anyway if that's something that will truly make her happy. And in the end, she gives up that wish to save Baby's life and defeat Big Jack, walking off into the full moon with her family, coming to realize they were the family she was wishing for all along.
    • Following from the above moment, Baby Bear, who earlier stated that Goldi wasn't his sister, tearfully questions why Goldi's wish is "getting rid of us [Bears]?" It's more of a tearjerker but it's clear how deeply Baby values and loves Goldi as a sister despite their digs and arguments.
  • When the Bears are knocked away by Jack Horner, Mama Bear grabs out to Goldi to cushion her daughter's fall.
  • After obtaining the map, the Bears are overjoyed and they showcase it with some cute, typical family moments — Papa, Baby and Goldi do a little song and dance; when Baby and Goldi get into a fight over the map, both Papa and Mama look at their children with parental love and humor.
  • When the map conjures up the Bears' cottage, Goldi and Mama see a flashback of the day the former met the Bears. A young and sleepy Goldi is being watched by the Bears and Mama keeps a young Baby from disturbing her and covers her future daughter with more blankets. Mama then states that was the day their family became just right and pulls in Goldi for a hug. Goldi smiles at her mother's comment while looking about to cry from Tears of Joy at seeing the memory.
    • Just before the flashback, Mama is shown holding the cottage's portrait of the Bear family. A Freeze-Frame Bonus allows to see that Goldi's on it.
  • There's actually a moment of foreshadowing of the above. As the Bears are going about the cabin, Mama throws out the suggestion that maybe the map has already granted their wish. Because this right here, the family happy together at home, is certainly all that she wants. And in the end, she was right.
  • "Like I told you, Baby! You're the smash, I'm the grab!" First said in annoyance by Goldi when Baby Bear tries to hold the map, it gets repeated when Goldi grabs Baby's chain necklace with her staff and prevents him from being pulled to his death.
  • After the battle with Jack Horner, as the Bear family (with Puss' group) watch the star shower, Papa picks up Goldi to lay her on his stomach while pulling in Mama and Baby for a family hug.
    • Prior to this, when they (plus Puss' group) are watching Jack Horner's demise, Papa can be seen holding Mama and Baby by the shoulders while Mama is doing the same thing for Goldi.
    • After denouncing her as his sister earlier in the film, Baby calls Goldi "sis" and cries over how she gave up the wish to save her family. While listening to Baby, Goldi calms him with a playful noogie and hug.
      Baby: [while crying] You saved my life, sis… You was gonna make the wish, but you didn't make the wish 'cause you wanted to save your family! [Goldi shushes him to calm him down] A-and I was really scared! And then…
      [Baby sobs while Goldi gives him a noogie and a hug]
      Goldi: Oi, don't get so blubbery about it. Whose porridge would I eat otherwise?
  • When Mama says sorry for Goldi not getting her wish, Goldi tells her mother she did get her wish, looks at each member of her family, and proudly (and tearfully) states "everything is just right". She then hugs Mama with latter returning said hug. And Papa and Baby join in for a literal bear hug.
    Mama: Sorry you didn't get your wish, Goldi-love.
    Goldi: But I did, Mama. I did get my wish. Everything…is just right. (hugs Mama)
  • After bidding farewell to Puss' group, Goldi asks Baby what their next job should be. Unlike earlier, she isn't mocking or insulting her brother.
    • And Baby in turn has a suggestion that the whole family agrees with: taking over Jack Horner's now-leaderless pie factory. Mama is particularly delighted at the image of a family business.
    • The fact they'll become the new leaders for Horner's pie factory. Considering what type of boss Jack Horner was to his workers, there's no doubt that Goldi and the Bears will be much more better leaders to the pie factory, thanks to their Affably Evil personalities.
• Surprisingly enough, the bond that develops between Perrito, Goldi and the Bears.
  • Despite being kidnapped by Goldi and The Bear Family, Perrito bonds and has fun with them.
  • Papa's response to Perrito's curse-filled, insult barrage to Goldi and the Bears? A laugh and saying he likes the dog.
  • After seeing the family dynamic between Goldi and the Bears, Perrito tells Goldi that she "won the orphan lottery".
    • And after they part ways, Goldi says the exact same phrase while giving one last look to Perrito with a wink. And Perrito returns said wink.
  • After the aforementioned comment, Mama states she likes the puppy and suggests adopting Perrito.
• One very important detail about Death's ultimate final fight with Puss In Boots is that unlike the murderous Jack Horner, who's willing to murder Perrito with a baby unicorn horn to get the map on top of trying to murder Team Friendship out of petty spite of getting in the way earlier on, Death pushes Perrito out of the flames trapping Puss without even hurting him. Death may be ruthless and sadistic, but he's not petty enough to hurt anyone else (especially a homeless puppy) in the crossfire. He has ethics and standards regarding his work and is willing to let Puss live out his life because he learned his lesson about humility and appreciation for life.
• Death, after seeing Puss's new resolve and fearlessness, is angered not having to fight the once arrogant, self-absorbed cat. But he quickly drops it in respect and walks away, telling him to live his last life to the fullest. Despite Death’s foreboding message that they’ll meet again, Puss takes it in stride and acknowledges it by finally taking his life and Death himself seriously, much to the wolf's delight.
  Death: I came here for an arrogant little legend, who thought he was immortal. *sighs* But I don't see him anymore...Live your life, Puss in Boots. Live it well. You know we will meet again, right?
  Puss: Sí. Hasta la muerte.^note "Yes. Until death."
  (Death smiles and nods in respect, and walks into the ring of fire, merrily whistling, before disappearing.)
  • In a twisted sort of way, the fact that the Wolf is willing to actually fight Puss In Boots at all counts as heartwarming. He’s Death, straight up, and if he wanted to he could probably just snap his fingers and stop Puss's heart instantly but instead he fights him one-on-one. Yes, it's because the Wolf can't help "playing with his food" and wants Puss In Boots to die fighting, but still, one can't help but wonder if there wasn't some part of the Wolf that wanted Puss In Boots to learn his lesson and improve as a person.
• Despite fighting over the wish for most of the movie, Papa Bear doesn't hesitate to save both Kitty and Puss when they are blasted by Jack and nearly sucked into the Star's Uncertain Doom.
  • And after they defeat Jack and destroy the map, both Puss' and Goldi's group part amicably with no hidden contempt or condescending manner.
• The moment after Death leaves Puss be to live his life with his friends, Perrito immediately runs over to him, the two sharing a platonic Headbutt of Love.
  • As everyone but Jack quickly escapes the collapsing star, Puss can be seen holding Perrito. When they all jump off and roll to the ground, Puss is protectively curling himself over Perrito, taking most of the fall.
• Although, it leads to a funny moment, the Ethical Bug deciding to go with Goldi and the Bears to teach them "ethical business practices". Really shows that he's a genuinely helpful and moral being and hopefully, Goldi and the Bears listen to his advice.
• Kitty and Puss, after having fell out before the movie's events, finally reconcile once Puss proves that he's come to see the true value of his life and took on Death in large part so he could fight for the chance spend the rest of it with her, and she in turn sees that he's finally become someone she can trust after believing she could never be his "one true love” over himself.
  Kitty: (Looking up at the stars falling, then looks to Puss) I hate to say it...but should we make a wish?
  Puss: (holds Kitty’s face, eyes sparkling) Kitty, one life spent with you is all I could ever wish for.
  • When Puss is facing his ultimate confrontation with Death, the life that flashes before his eyes is just the one he’s had over the course of the movie...including every single moment spent with Kitty, from her kicking him in the face, to shaving his beard, to their dance, and finally her placing a paw over his when he’s trapped in the Cave of Lost Souls — at which point he opens his eyes in realization.
  • It’s ultimately Kitty's dagger, which she'd given to Puss far earlier in the film, which allows Puss to survive his final battle with Death. After parrying an otherwise killing blow, Puss uses it in tandem with his sword to beat Death back before showcasing his Character Development, causing him to finally leave Puss in peace.
  • After Puss is spared by Death, Kitty expresses her horror about what Puss said about Death literally hunting him, now fully realizing the absolute hell he was going through. Puss then immediately offers the wish to Kitty so she can have her wish of finding someone to trust — but she turns it down, saying that she doesn’t need it anymore now that she realizes Puss really has changed.
    Kitty: You know... when you said Death was after you, I thought you were just being melodramatic!
    Puss: The wish is yours. You deserve someone you can trust.
    (Kitty is about to take the wish but then pulls back)
    Kitty: I don't need it. I got what I wished for...no magic required.
• Kitty and Puss complain that their wanted poster of "Team Friendship" makes them sound ridiculous, but it's clear that they still are happy with it. Their portraits even have them smiling with Perrito at the center of the poster.
• Puss ends the movie stealing the governor's ship with Kitty and Perrito to sail off to new adventures, nine lives or no... and to reunite with old friends, as we pan to reveal exactly where they're sailing: Far Far Away, as "Fairytale" swells up on the soundtrack.
  • Both Kitty and Perrito were abused by their previous families leaving them both in a downer place (Kitty surviving as a thief and not trusting anyone, Perrito having to disguise himself as a cat for food and shelter). And the former had an estranged relationship with Puss. Now? Not only has Kitty rekindled her romance with a mature Puss but she and Perrito will find true love and companionship with Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Dragon, and all the others.

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