The Garfield Movie
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director: Mark Dindal
Writers: Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, David Reynolds
Starring: Chris Pratt, Hannah Waddingham, Samuel L. Jackson
Rated: PG for action/peril and mild thematic elements.
Synopsis: 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.
Review: I can’t argue with the success that Jim Davis has had with his character Garfield. The comic strip has been running since 1976, there have been numerous films, and a couple of animated series. I’ve seen or read more than my share and have done so without complaint. “The Garfield Movie” is the first time that I’ve been asked to put a critical lens on the franchise.
Garfield has only ever really had one plot and it tends to take place on a Monday. Garfield is lounging, imagining eating lasagna. There is an obstacle in Garfield’s way that requires Garfield to figure out how to get lasagna. Garfield eats lasagna. Odie, a brown-eared beagle who is Garfield’s best friend, often gets in the way. He’s cute, energetic, not so smart, and the lighthearted comedy relief. Jon’s role as Garfield’s owner is to simply love the cat for what he is.
Screenwriters Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds begin the film with a flashback to Garfield as a kitten. A series of events involving a pizza leads to Garfield meeting Jon. Flashforward to Garfield, now grown, ordering lasagna on (presumably) Jon’s smartphone. It is delivered by drone. The modern world is perfectly suited to Garfield’s needs.
And then Garfield is catnapped.
This is a radical departure from what I’m accustomed to seeing from Garfield. Recasting a notoriously fat cat as an action hero could be an interesting choice. Unfortunately, it isn’t nearly as exciting as it must have looked on paper. Not even when the story takes on some emotional weight as it shifts to Garfield searching for his father. Are we witnessing a mid-life crisis?
Despite the introduction of some new character traits (which some will loathe on principle), this version of Garfield doesn’t feel nearly as removed from the classic interpretation that most of us grew up with as you would think. I didn’t feel like I was seeing anything particularly new. That might comfort some. It filled me with the desire to watch “Toy Story.”
I’m also not enamored with the casting of Chris Pratt. I’ve had Pratt fatigue for quite some time now. I do like Hannah Waddingham (except for the song they have her sing over the credits). I don’t think there is a job that Samuel L. Jackson will turn down. He’s fine, doesn’t seem to be phoning it in.
For all the newness, “The Garfield Movie” doesn’t feel particularly fresh. I do think most young people will enjoy it. Adults? Well, there are two needle drops that work well (and are likely to go over the heads of the kids).
All of that said, the children in the audience enjoyed it. I’ve even heard rumors that my niece and nephews thought it was great.
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