- “There's good in all people, there's good in all people.”
- ―The Talking Cricket tries to convince itself that "Big" Jack Horner has a good side too.
The Talking Cricket, or the Ethical Bug, is a supporting character in the DreamWorks film, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Background[]
Personality[]
The Talking Cricket is a humble, philosophical individual who "sits on your shoulder and judges your actions and the quality of your character". He means well, and even tries to reform "Big" Jack Horner by trying to tell him about the value of life. His fragile nature is shown when seeing the deaths of the Baker's Dozen, horrified at the sights and how Horner is so casual about the actions. Despite being a kind individual who tries to see the good in all people, he has limits as to who he can try to help. After hearing Horner's remark about his dead colleagues, the cricket calls him an "irredeemable monster" with full emotion.
Physical Appearance[]
The Talking Cricket is a small, but slightly overgrown green bug with a brown cap and overalls. He has six limbs with two being used as arms, and four being used as legs which have brown shoes. His eyes are large and shaped like ping-pong balls. He has wings for floating around, and antennas which don't have much function.
Role in the film[]
The Talking Cricket first makes his appearance when "Big" Jack Horner searches for relics to clear away the carnivorous roses at the "Pocket Full O' Posies", summoning him due to believing he's some sort of magic insect that can clear away the plants. However upon being released, the Talking Cricket reveals he's actually a conscience and is supposed to help his master become a better person. He attempts to urge Jack Horner to help his minions, which he refuses to do so as he has so many magical items. When Jack Horner unveils his Phoenix, the Cricket admires her until his master begins using the bird as a flamethrower, causing him to remark how his work's already cut out for him.
Later on, when Jack Horner confronts Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws at the riverbank, he threatens to shoot Perrito in the face unless they give him the map, causing the Bug to try and dissuade him to no avail, being horrified at Jack continuing to use the unicorn horns as ammo despite already downing some of his men. Later on, as they cross a canyon using the Baker's Dozen as a human bridge, the Talking Cricket remarks that Jack doesn't appreciate the value of a life as he discusses who he should kill to acquire the map. Later, when he orders the carriage to cross over all of Jack's remaining henchmen are knocked down to their deaths except for the carriage's driver, causing the Cricket to exclaim in horror. Hearing Jack Horner joking about how "you can't bake a pie without losing a dozen men", he's horrified and finally realizes what an irredeemable monster his master is. Jack Horner however, shamelessly confirms this and, mocking the Talking Cricket for taking so long to realize it, flicks him away, causing him to lose a wing.
Later on during the film's resolution, Jack Horner is stranded on the Wishing Star as it collapses, with the map having been torn up by Puss, Kitty and Goldilocks. He manages to reclaim two of the fragments, but as he realises one of the fragments is missing, he notices the Talking Cricket riding on his Phoenix. Announcing his resignation as Jack's conscience, the Cricket and the Phoenix burn up the last piece, sealing Jack's fate as the map is destroyed as he's sucked into the star and it explodes, ending him once and for all. Afterwards while Goldilocks and her family discuss taking over Jack's pie business, the Cricket arrives to advise them on ethical work practices, causing Baby Bear to mistake him for a cockroach and Goldi attempting to swat him.
Quotes[]
- “Oh. OH! That was horrible. Your wish is horrible. YOU'RE horrible! You're an irredeemable monster!”
- ―The Talking Cricket loses hope of changing "Big" Jack Horner and reveals him for the monster he is.
Trivia[]
- He is based on the character Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio, although he was never called that throughout the movie.
- He is a separate character from Jiminy Cricket, who appeared in The Shreksorcist of Scared Shrekless.
- This is partly because the name Jiminy Cricket is a name invented by Disney and wasn’t in the original tale.
- His line You're an irredeemable monster! became an internet meme showing him becoming nervous on what he did to Jack Horner.
Gallery[]
