If you’re planning to watch “The Garfield Movie,” be prepared for a surprising twist: the famous orange feline, known for his love of lasagna and disdain for Mondays, finds himself running from bad guys atop a speeding train. Cardio? Not exactly what you’d expect from Garfield.
“The Garfield Movie” attempts to reinvent the comic icon with an origin story that propels him into adventures far removed from his usual antics. Directed by Mark Dindal, this curious animated film features Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield, the self-centered hero, and Samuel L. Jackson as his estranged father. This unexpected pairing introduces a subplot of abandonment and trauma that purportedly explains Garfield’s insatiable appetite.
The film reunites Garfield with his dubious dad, reminiscent of the plots from “Kung Fu Panda 3” and “Chicken Run.” They get entangled in a criminal plot to raid a corporate dairy and steal thousands of gallons of milk. This is a far cry from the Garfield we know, who is perhaps the most indoor cat in history. Watching him navigate dangers like massive chopping blades and boulders is just plain weird.
Even more bizarre is Odie’s transformation. Traditionally portrayed as a lovable but dim-witted dog, Odie is reimagined here as a highly competent, perhaps even savant-like partner. This deviation from the canon may be jarring for longtime fans.
The movie does have its mildly amusing moments, especially during a heist sequence in the dairy set to the “Mission: Impossible” theme. This is largely due to the gang’s leader, a bull voiced by Ving Rhames, a nod to his role in the franchise. There are also references to “Top Gun,” with Garfield quipping, “I do my own stunts. Me and Tom Cruise.”
The script, penned by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds, anchors the movie in the present day. Garfield uses food delivery apps, watches Catflix, and characters talk about being “self-actualized.” However, the film’s product placement is awkward, notably an Olive Garden plug that feels out of place.
Garfield’s legendary food obsession is exaggerated to new extremes. The filmmakers indulge in scenes of Garfield inhaling thousands of pounds of junk food, with nary a salad in sight. His love of cheese is played up as his “love language,” resulting in some of the laziest writing in the film.
The film features a mini “Ted Lasso” reunion with Hannah Waddingham as a psychotic gang leader and Brett Goldstein as her henchman. Snoop Dogg also makes a cameo as the voice of a one-eyed cat and contributes a song for the credits.
While the animation is visually appealing, particularly the detailed backgrounds, the main characters look less polished and more cartoonish. Jim Davis, Garfield’s creator, serves as an executive producer, suggesting he approved this version of his character. However, the film ultimately feels like a forgettable, unfunny slog. As Garfield himself says, “Bury me in cheese,” which might just be the best place for this film.
“The Garfield Movie,” a Columbia Pictures release, opens in theaters on Friday. It is rated PG for “mild thematic elements, action, and peril” and runs for 101 minutes. It receives one and a half stars out of four.
With inputs from The Associated Press.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
