Cannes 2011: Puss In Boots hits the Croisette

Total Film got our 3D specs on this morning to watch 15 minutes of scenes from Dreamworks’ upcoming Shrek spin-off, Puss In Boots …

We were also introduced to new characters Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), villains Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) and Selma Hayek’s feisty love interest, Kitty Softpaws (no, really).

A badass Puss made his entrance by storming into a bar, fending off the local thugs and lapping up a shot of milk.

From there, we were treated to an attempted magic bean heist, a thrilling rooftop chase and an inspired dance battle between Puss and Kitty.

On hand to unveil his creation, director Chris Miller outlined the appeal of giving the “ginger hitman” his own showcase. “Of all the characters that came out of the Shrek universe he was my favourite – small in stature but full of bravado,” said Miller.

“It’s a much more colourful film [than the Shrek movies] – we took a more dynamic approach to the filmmaking.”

Stars Banderas and Hayek were also on hand and on top form, showing that the sparkling chemistry that first brought them to Cannes in 1995 (when Desperado screened out of competition) is still just as strong.

“This is the first time I’ve done an animated film and I couldn’t have picked a better one,” raved Hayek. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s like a comeback – here I am in Cannes with Antonio again 16 years later, now in three dimensions…”

Banderas of course is also here promoting Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In – in competition for the Palme d’Or – but insisted Puss is just as important to him.

“Movies serve very different purposes, and all of them are legitimate,” he mused. “This is a movie that will make people happy, especially kids, all around the world. That’s very rewarding for me.”

Puss In Boots 3D opens in the UK in December.