Shrek spin-off is the cat's meow

Antonio Banderas is the cat’s meow as the computer-animated title character in “Puss in Boots.”

In the “Shrek” spinoff, the 51-year-old actor provides a smooth-as-silk voice that perfectly captures the sly and seductive personality of the charming and disarming feline with a roving eye and a glistening blade. Banderas’ Puss made his franchise debut in “Shrek 2” (2004), and this PG-rated adventure unfolds before the green ogre and Donkey came into his life.

For “Puss in Boots,” the title character must deal with past issues in his life, particularly his toxic relationship with Humpty Dumpty (voice by Zach Galifianakis), a former friend whose self-centered antics cause Puss to be pursued as an outlaw.

Puss returns to prevent a major catastrophe involving a goose with golden eggs. He teams with some like-minded sidekicks, particularly a black-clad character known as Kitty Softpaws (voice by Salma Hayek), in his quest, which includes dealing with the lethal outlaws Jack and Jill (voices by Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris, respectively).

Like the plots in the “Shrek” franchise, the screenplay here borrows characters from fairy tales and sprinkles them throughout the narrative.

“Puss in Boots,” which was originally intended as a direct to-video release, lacks the lavishness of the “Shrek” installments. However, director Chris Miller (“Shrek the Third”) and the animators, along with Banderas, Hayek and the other voice talents, keep the caper picture moving along and insert Puss into the middle of everything.

In “Puss in Boots,” the title character often faces trust issues due to having been exploited by those close to him. There’s little challenge, of course, in predicting how the pieces will eventually fall into place, but the fun comes from the twists and turns during the journey that proves a long and winding road for Puss, Kitty and the others.

It’s certainly not in a league with Pixar titles or “Shrek” installments, but for children, “Puss in Boots” should be able to stand alone and provide some laughs and cheers, particularly during a dance number. As a youngster behind me told his parents after an advance screening, “That was cool!” And so it was.

FILM REVIEW

“Puss in Boots”

Grade: B

Starring: Voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris; screenplay by Tom Wheeler and David H. Steinberg; directed by Chris Miller.

Running time: 90 minutes.

Rating: PG (Action scenes, mildly suggestive moments).