--- title: "Puss in Boots: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/puss-in-boots/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/puss-in-boots" critics_score: 67 critics_reviews: 17 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Puss in Boots (2011): what the critics said Critics' score 67 from 17 reviews: 9 positive, 8 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find the spin-off entertaining and able to stand without Shrek, and nobody dislikes it outright: nine of the seventeen reviews are positive, eight are mixed, none are negative. The praise clusters on Antonio Banderas, whose voice work several reviews call the main reason to watch, and on the 3D, which the Hollywood Reporter and Total Film both single out for its well-judged use of depth. The chemistry between Puss and Kitty, and the handling of Humpty Dumpty, also come up more than once. The reservations are about story. Variety thinks the finale overdone and the film long; Empire and Eye for Film find the plot crowded; the Evening Standard says the final quarter is the weakest. The Skinny is the lone dissenter on the 3D, calling it ineffective, and faults a lazy script. The spread is narrow, running from Slant’s forgettable to the Los Angeles Times’ consistently entertaining: nobody is cross, and nobody is quite excited either. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 October 2011. Turan finds the film a visually lively, consistently entertaining family adventure that balances action and tongue-in-cheek humor. He singles out its film-noir-inspired storytelling and stylish visual flair for praise. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-oct-28-la-et-puss-in-boots-20111028-story.html) ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 December 2011. Richards finds the spin-off entertaining and thinks Puss can carry an adventure of his own, despite a crowded plot and limited storytelling invention. He especially praises the heartfelt handling of Humpty Dumpty and the lively dance-off between Puss and Kitty. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/puss-boots-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 October 2011. McCarthy calls the film a diverting, entertaining romp and praises its inventive, well-integrated 3D cinematography. He also singles out the lively character work and vocal performances, especially the chemistry between Puss and Kitty. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/puss-boots-film-review-252312/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2011. Debruge finds the spin-off consistently amusing and able to stand on its own, despite its franchise-minded origins. He praises Antonio Banderas’s irresistible central performance, while faulting the over-the-top finale and sense of length. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/puss-in-boots-1117946409/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2011. Bradshaw finds the spin-off amiable and entertaining, though not especially exhilarating. He singles out Humpty Dumpty’s joke about eggs in jail as the film’s best line. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/dec/08/puss-in-boots-film-review) ## Screen Daily — Brent Simon Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2011. The review's verdict is unavailable in the accessible page. No specific praise or criticism is visible. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/puss-in-boots/5033650.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 28 October 2011. The article could not be accessed, so its verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint can be reliably attributed to the critic. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/28/movies/puss-in-boots-with-antonio-banderas-review.html) ## Evening Standard — The Standard Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic finds the animation entertaining but not outstanding, with a weaker final quarter. They praise the lively performances and visual details, while noting that the animation falls short of the best Shrek films. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/puss-in-boots-review-7427978.html) ## Time Out — Anna Smith Rating 3/5. 6 December 2011. The three-star rating suggests a mixed verdict. The description praises Antonio Banderas’s voice work and Puss’s charismatic, scene-stealing presence. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/puss-in-boots) ## Total Film — Matt Chapman Rating 3/5. 15 November 2011. Chapman finds the film entertaining in fits and starts, but says its story feels overextended and its humor is only moderately funny. He singles out the skilful use of 3D depth and the expansive environments as the film’s main achievement. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/puss-in-boots-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jaime N. Christley Rating 2/4. 24 October 2011. Christley finds the film lively and handsome but ultimately forgettable. The review praises its visual polish and cat-specific jokes, while faulting its bargain-value adventure and weak material. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/puss-in-boots/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2011. Wilkinson finds it a lively, high-quality family adventure, just short of being truly top-notch. She praises its cross-generational humor and effective use of 3D, while noting that the plot can feel convoluted and Kitty’s character development is thin. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/puss-in-boots-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## Den of Geek — Ron Hogan Rating 3 out of 5. 30 October 2011. Hogan finds the film entertaining but lightweight, with action outweighing comedy and depth. He especially praises the vivid 3D swashbuckling and the chemistry between Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/puss-in-boots-review-2/) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Rating 4. 6 December 2011. The review finds the film a fun, visually impressive caper, despite a bumpy plot and Humpty Dumpty's prominence. It praises Banderas's comic performance and the film's striking use of 3D. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a352734/puss-in-boots-review/) ## /Film — Germain Lussier Rating 7 out of 10. 28 October 2011. The critic finds the film unexpectedly funny, exciting, and enjoyable, though not among DreamWorks’ best. They praise the friendship at its heart, while faulting the adventure for predictable twists and moral unease. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/518224/puss-boots-review-surprisingly-charming-fun-spinoff/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 October 2011. The headline frames the film as a fun, worthwhile spinoff. The critic’s specific praise or complaints are unavailable in the page text. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-puss-in-boots-a-fun-adventure-worthwhile-spinoff-from-the-lagging-shrek-franchise-20111026/) ## The Skinny — Nicola Balkind Rating ★★★. 5 December 2011. Balkind finds the film brisk and enjoyable, with an excellent voice cast and a Spanish-flavoured fairytale world. She criticises its simple, somewhat lazy script and ineffective 3D, while noting the old-film gags and innuendo aimed at adults. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/puss-in-boots) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/puss-in-boots.md