By Connie Lee May 28, 2024
The Garfield Movie is a perfectly serviceable family flick if not compared to the original comic and older shows and movies.
Since going national in 1978, Jim Davis’ lasagne-loving, Monday-hating cat, Garfield, has become one of the most loved cartoon felines. Now, following an iconic comic strip, and several shows, specials, and movies, the latest iteration to the brand, The Garfield Movie, has brought this feline back to the big screen and is an admirable effort to give new life to the wry traits and antics Garfield is known for, and to serve as an entry point for younger generations. And while the different aspects like the character voices and extreme modernism (who knew Garfield was such a pro with food delivery apps?), won’t hit the same for long-time fans, this latest version still provides enough fun, laughs, and heartfelt moments for viewers of all ages.
Synopsis
The pampered lives of house pets Garfield (Chris Pratt) and his closest companion Odie (Harvey Guillén) are turned upside down after unexpectedly getting reunited with the former’s streetsmart long-lost father, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson). The three of them are unwillingly thrown into a high-stakes crime heist and Garfield is able to get out of his comfort zone and prove he’s capable of much more than lounging in his cosy chair, in front of his beloved television all day.
Review
The Garfield Movie’s biggest downfall is its storyline. After a good build-up of the first 10-20 minutes, it stumbles, becoming too hyper and frenetic as it tries to fit in as much as possible without always making sense, also having a tendency to overexplain while not clarifying the right things. It moves so fast from one thing to the next that some key points and characters feel unfulfilled by the end as if there were missed opportunities to flesh them out just a little further. This was especially evident for Hannah Waddingham’s character, Jinx. While we’re given some context about her background and hatred for Vic, there’s not enough to really become invested, making Jinx annoying and practically unforgettable even though she’s the primary antagonist. On the other hand, Garfield’s background with Vic is explained more than twice, obviously to emphasize the emotional impact but ends up a bit tedious, we get it already!
It’s too easy to point out that Pratt doesn’t have the same lower, more monotone voice that fans are used to with Garfield. But, he makes the role his own and his smug, upbeat, sarcastic tone adds new depth and helps to make Garfield’s defining qualities really shine. It’s hard to turn away for a second because with the energy the Guardians of the Galaxy star brings to the role, we can never tell what lovable, smart-aleck remark will come out of his mouth next. And this actually applies to the entire cast. From Jackson to Waddingham, Ving Rhames (who voiced Otto the bull), and Nicholas Hoult (who voiced Jon), everyone involved gave magic and enthusiasm that was consistently a total joy to watch, even making the subpar story forgivable at numerous points.
Modernizing Garfield’s world was inevitable. Since the 2009 and 2016 movies starring Bill Murray, a lot has changed, and it only makes sense for technology to play a larger role, and for Garfield to be very technologically savvy (more than what has been previously seen), it helps connect more with audiences. In this rendition, he utilizes the Walmart ordering app, he knows how to put in Jon’s credit card number to order takeout to be delivered, and he even knows what drones are. The good part is that all this is woven in without being obnoxious. It never feels cringey, as if Garfield is perpetually on TikTok, filming dances, or sending cheesy gifs and emojis. It’s natural and helps to seamlessly bridge the generational gap and drive the story.
The real fun comes from the mix of slapstick hijinks, a touching family story, and the appreciation for house pets everywhere. Even in all its madness and flaws, there is still a great balance between the zany situations Garfield and Co. get themselves into and deeper moments that tug on the heartstrings. Just when you might feel a bit of the waterworks coming on, the characters will whip around and do something so chaotic, that it’s hard not to laugh out loud. And if that’s not enough, if you’re like me, the real animals featured at the end will make you want to rush home and hold your furry friends close.
Ultimately, The Garfield Movie is just a simple and enjoyable update to the Garfield franchise. It may not be perfect or offer much to those who were expecting something that stayed truer to the older iterations, but it still serves up a good time and hopefully can help create new fans from younger audiences.
STAR RATING
The Garfield Movie is out now in cinemas
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