What’s It About
Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
The orange cat, created by Jim Davis in the ’70s, had yet to receive a film adaptation that genuinely captured the quality and humor of the original comic strips. The two films starring Bill Murray in the 2000s failed to grab the essence of Garfield, partly due to the public’s limited understanding of the character’s origins and universe. This led Hollywood executives to create films with crazy events that didn’t respect the original context. However, in The Garfield Movie, the origins and family of the famous cat are explored more respectfully, honoring the original material. The opening scene and subsequent origin story are highlights, introducing a young Garfield and his eventual adoption by Jon. The earlier section of the movie showcases classic Garfield moments, including his interactions with Odie and his leisure time on his favorite couch. As the story unfolds, Garfield and his dog friend Odie are forced to leave their quiet life with their owner, Jon, to join Garfield’s estranged father, Vic, a stray cat, on a risky heist. The film transforms into a fun adventure that flirts with the spy and action genre in the style of Mission: Impossible, incorporating mystery to captivate the audience beyond Garfield’s trademark humor. The film is designed to appeal to all ages, allowing a new audience to get to know this iconic cat. At the same time, the script intelligently balances humor and mystery, allowing both elements to shine independently without overshadowing each other. The vibrant and colorful animation maintains a predominantly fast pace with a kid-friendly approach. The voice performances, including those of Garfield, Odie, Vic, and Jinx, add depth to the characters, each delivering standout performances. Visually, The Garfield Movie uses 3D to bring the characters to life in a faithful, adorable, and cartoonish style, avoiding the hyperrealism common in other animated productions. The film feels like a breath of fresh air due to its excellent execution and respect for the original character, capturing the humor and spirit of the comic strips while avoiding decisions that compromise the integrity of the Garfield universe. The careful approach makes it valuable to the famous cat’s legacy.
OUR RATING – A LASAGNA LOVING 8
MEDIA
- Genre – Family
- Street date
- Digital – July 9, 2024
- Blu-Ray/DVD – August 27, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 1.85:1
- Sound – English: Dolby Atmos
- Subtitles – English, French 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English & French
Extras
- Gag Reel
- Easter Eggs: Garnishes à la Garfield
- Deleted Scene – Animatic, featuring Hannah Waddingham
Also includes:
- Indoor Cat, Outdoor Adventure
- Cast of Critters
- How-to-Draw: Garfield, Odie, Vic, and more!
- Animation Reels & Gallery