After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, the street cat Vic, Garfield is forced to leave his very comfortable life with Harald behind. Together with Vic and Odie, he plans a crazy robbery.
Directed by Mark Dindal and written by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds, The Garfield Movie is a fully animated adventure that brings the iconic lasagna-loving feline to the big screen once again. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, and Hannah Waddingham, this film offers a decent experience for families, with enough humour and action to keep the children entertained.
One of the film's standout features is its slick animation. Every pet and animal is rendered with a fuzzy, pettable quality that makes them visually appealing. The environments are vibrant and intriguing, and the food looks so appetizing that viewers might wish for smell-o-vision. While the animation quality may not rival that of major studios like Pixar, it is nonetheless solid and enjoyable. A particularly noteworthy sequence involves an army of delivery drones, showcasing impressive detail and style.
The plot centres around Garfield, voiced by Chris Pratt, who is reunited with his estranged father, Vic, played by Samuel L. Jackson. The story takes a surprising turn into heist territory as Garfield and Vic team up for a milk factory robbery. This mix of origin story and espionage-style adventure provides a fast-moving narrative with plenty of slapstick action aimed at young viewers.
Garfield retains his love of lasagna, pizza, cheese, and all things pasta, using irony and sarcasm to navigate the various escapades. However, Chris Pratt's performance, while earnest, lacks the drollness traditionally associated with Garfield. Samuel L. Jackson and Hannah Waddingham deliver competent voice performances, adding to the film's overall appeal.
The humour in The Garfield Movie is a mix of familiar jokes and slapstick comedy. Many moments will amuse children, with some jokes tailored specifically for older viewers, such as references to Tom Cruise and the use of the Mission Impossible and Top Gun theme songs. Despite these nods to a more mature audience, the film primarily targets younger viewers with its straightforward, surface-level humour.
Unfortunately, the script often relies on tired old jokes and gags that lack cleverness. While the movie has scattered laughs, the overall comedic impact is somewhat underwhelming. This is a notable departure from the reserved wit typically expected from Garfield, making the film feel more like The Secret Life of Pets than a true Garfield adaptation.
The Garfield Movie touches on themes of social inequality, highlighting the contrast between the fortunate who feast and the less privileged who struggle to survive. This message, while interesting, is not deeply explored, aligning with the film's focus on children's entertainment over deeper adult themes.
Additionally, the film addresses abandonment and resentment through Garfield's relationship with his father. These emotional elements add some depth to the story but are not central to the overall narrative.
The Garfield Movie is an inoffensive and moderately entertaining film. Its colourful animation and fast-paced story will undoubtedly appeal to young children, while parents may find enough humour and action to keep them engaged. However, the film lacks the depth and memorable quality of top-tier animated movies. It is a simple, unpretentious form of entertainment that provides a fun, albeit forgettable, experience for families. If you're looking for a light-hearted film to enjoy with your children, The Garfield Movie is a decent choice for a fun outing to the theatre.
The Garfield Movie was released in NZ cinemas on May 30, 2024