Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is one of DreamWorks’ all-time best movies, but despite its success, I’m still unconvinced about Shrek‘s latest spinoff. Given how long it had been since the Shrek franchise last released a movie, my expectations for Puss in Boots 2 were relatively low. Walking into the theater, I didn’t expect much, but after leaving, I was blown away. Puss in Boots‘ second solo outing surpassed all expectations, completely blowing the first movie out of the water and becoming one of my favorite cinematic experiences of the year.

I wasn’t the only one impressed with the movie as it received fantastic reviews and was a box office hit. The movie repeated its success on streaming as Puss in Boots 2 broke into the Netflix top 10, indicating just how popular it was. This was the perfect project to bring the Shrek franchise back into the mainstream, and with Shrek 5 and a spinoff in the works, the movie clearly made a big impact. However, despite Puss in Boots 2 being one of the best Shrek movies ever made, I still have reservations about the franchise’s upcoming project.

Puss In Boots 2 Worked Because It Focused On A Side Character

Puss In Boots Is An Interesting Enough Character To Carry A Solo Spinoff

One of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘s strongest elements was that it focused strictly on a side character. While Puss became popular for his involvement in the Shrek franchise, his solo adventures have been just as captivating as they allowed the franchise to explore his personality and story on an individual basis. His first movie showcased his origins and introduced some new characters specific to Puss’ journey, with the sequel continuing this. Seeing the character shine on his own is something that Shrek couldn’t offer him, which is why his spinoff films worked so well.

Puss in Boots 2 has a fresh style compared to Shrek both visually and narratively, as despite comedy still being a major focus, The Last Wish has some more adult themes. Death being one of the film’s main villains was a perfect choice as it fit directly into Puss’ story. He has often lived recklessly, leading to him losing the majority of his nine lives, meaning when mortality became a real issue, his entire outlook on life changed. This couldn’t have been done in the main Shrek films as Death wouldn’t have the same impact on the other central characters.

Death’s brilliant design and introduction helped make him such a great villain, but his personal connection to Puss is why he became so memorable. Puss has rarely feared any enemy, but Death is the one foe he couldn’t outrun. The Last Wish also plays into some of the character’s selfish traits and insecurities, which would once again be hard to implement nearly as well in a Shrek film. The movie didn’t have to focus on the rest of the franchise; instead, it let a side character take center stage and shine, making Puss in Boots 2 a modern masterpiece.

A Donkey Spinoff Would Feel Too Much Like Another Shrek Movie

Donkey’s Journey Is Often Intertwined With Shrek’s Throughout The Franchise

Donkey is easily one of Shrek‘s best characters, and while I love the idea of Eddie Murphy reprising his role, I’m concerned it may feel too much like another Shrek movie. A Donkey spinoff with Eddie Murphy is in the works, meaning the fan favorite will return to the big screen in the near future. With Shrek 5 also confirmed, audiences will be getting plenty of Donkey, but the fifth installment of the main movies makes a spinoff somewhat redundant. While Puss in Boots worked as a spinoff, I feel like Donkey has less potential to thrive on his own.

The Last Wish created big expectations for the Shrek films – in particular future spinoffs – meaning falling short of these demands could hurt the project. It will be impossible to avoid comparisons, and while I still believe a solo Donkey story could be fun, it will struggle to avoid feeling overly different from the other Shrek movies as he is already a major factor in the films. Donkey is one of my favorite Shrek characters, but with another main movie on the way, we don’t really need a solo adventure, and it risks feeling all too familiar.

He is already involved in most storylines, and even if Donkey isn’t always at the center of the plot, there is no doubt he has an important and prominent role in most of Shrek‘s cinematic adventures. Although he has his own family with Dragon, there are definitely limitations to what they can do with the character, and while I still look forward to seeing his shenanigans away from the main movies, I do worry the spinoff may struggle to replicate Puss in Boots 2‘s overwhelming success.

Donkey Works Best As A Double Act With Shrek

Donkey & Shrek Are A Perfect Duo That Work Better Together

While a Donkey spinoff risks feeling too similar to Shrek, it will also be without Shrek and Donkey’s excellent chemistry. Although the two of them can still have great moments apart, the two are at their best when together, meaning the Donkey spinoff will have to find a way to make up for the lack of Shrek. While I’m sure the writers will introduce fun new characters as they did in the Puss in Boots spinoffs, it will be difficult to create someone capable of replicating what Shrek brings to the table without it feeling like a cheap imitation.

The pair work as a great double act, with Donkey’s hilarious and optimistic nature balancing out Shrek’s grumpy and sarcastic personality. This is what made the first few Shrek films so popular, and with the later installments failing to utilize this dynamic quite as well, it is no surprise they were less popular. Although Donkey’s energy and charisma seem like enough to carry a movie on its own, it won’t work nearly as well without Shrek and could lose its charm quickly, making it difficult for the spinoff to overcome Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, regardless of Shrek’s involvement.