Run time: 102 mins

Antonio Banderas’s pint-sized feline rogue, with his thigh-high boots and eyes as big as saucers, became an instant hit when he was introduced in Shrek 2.

But his follow-up appearances have played as either wrung out or purely cynical. It’s a joy to say, then, that The Last Wish posits something different and unexpected: a heart-felt, sincere and genuinely laugh-out-loud yarn.

Down to his final life, Puss (Banderas) sees an opportunity to restore the full nine with a magic wishing star. He’s not the only one seeking it: Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) and her ursine crime syndicate are on his trail, as is the monstrous Jack Horner. And then there’s Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and wannabe emotional support animal Perrito the chihuahua (Harvey Guillén). It’s basic stuff, but it helps that the writing is as sharp as a cat’s claw.

Using the same blend of 2D and 3D animation popularised by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Dreamworks continues to push the boundaries of mainstream animation. The Last Wish is visually gorgeous, with an attention to detail you might not expect. It is a dazzling treat from start to finish.