FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/the-garfield-movie-review-simple-light-hearted-fun-for-the-whole-family/

“The Garfield Movie may not be an animated masterwork or a film that provokes deep reflections, but it effectively fulfills its purpose of entertaining with a story that’s generic yet packed with fun moments.

Boasting the classic sarcastic humor of the titular cat, a light plot, and well-executed action set pieces, it’s an ideal choice for families seeking an enjoyable experience with plenty of laughs.

It serves as a reminder that sometimes a film can be appreciated just for what it always wanted to be – a simple, unpretentious form of entertainment, perfect for a session alongside the little ones.”

Rating: B

First off, I did like the father-son dynamic that was present here, it’s just that I didn’t care about what was happening on screen since it’s nonsensical majority of the time. But there’s only real development between those two by the end, nobody else.

And the casting is quite bad as well because none of the actors really sell me on their performance, just seems they’re phoning it in. The villain doesn’t have a great performance either but that’s mostly due to poor writing, they could’ve done something far greater than her. But the creativity that’s present is short lived if it’s constantly followed by a villain saying a poor landing joke, or even a main character.

How can a Garfield movie truly be done? After seeing this I have little hope for Garfield movies in the future. But the idea of Garfield being in a movie is outlandish and quite hard to make a feasible plot without introducing lame characters. This franchise is hard to make acceptable for fans since it will never live up to what Garfield truly is. But to give us an hour and a half of our time with him for a outlandish, out of this world, story is enough regardless of how bad it might be, because it will never work out.

A frankenstein monster film
I have been waiting from this film since it was announced during the pandemic back in 2021 but it suddenly got delayed multiple times and at some point many stuff was leaked before release teasing that something was going wrong during production, after the film finally released I realize I was right. The film feels like a less special Garfield version of The Peanuts Movie which instead commits the same mistakes as Toy Story 4 by getting less focus of the iconic characters like Jon Arbuckle and Nermal over new ones like Garfield’s father Vic in a mostly boring robbery storyline that you can feel was chopped during production as many scenes feel disconnected and with weird pacing and tonal issues.

Predictable kids animated adventure
‘The Garfield Movie’ is the first fully-CGI Garfield film, 46 years after our favourite fat-cat first appeared in newspaper comics. I can’t compare this film to the other Bill Murray films, as I haven’t seen them. This time, Garfield is voiced by Chris Pratt, who’s earning a solid living voicing lead characters in animated films – ‘The Lego Movie’, ‘Onward’, ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’. We get a nice flashback to how kitten Garfield, super-cute, and Jon (Hoult) first met and their comfortable life with dog Odie (Guillen).

The film then turns into a Mission:Impossible style heist film, as Garfield’s dad, Vic (Jackson) is blackmailed into robbing milk from a dairy, that Garfield and Odie are coerced into too. The “baddie” is Jinx (Waddingham) – a fluffy-white cat that’s straight out of Blofeld’s lap from James Bond – as well as her mean-looking dog goons, Roland (Goldstein) and Nolan (Yang). This is where we meet Otto (Rhames), the bull – very fitting having Ving Rhames in the heist part of the film! There’s lots of action and slapstick “injuries”, as Garfield, Odie and Vic break into the dairy factory and also a train.

The whole Garfield-out-of-the-house is a little different and means Jon’s not really in it much. Garfield also isn’t too surly and is actually friendly with Odie, which is nice. There’s probably not as much charm as ‘The Peanuts Movie’, but it does have a nice little story about family, with Vic and Garfield and explaining why they were separated for the kids. Some smaller kids may find parts scary, particularly the big dog and the factory scene with the cheese and knives. Nothing too hilarious, but enough laughs for the adults to keep it interesting.

“The Garfield Movie” is a lively and entertaining adaptation of the beloved comic strip. Directed by Mark Dindal, the film brings the iconic lazy, lasagna-loving cat to life with vibrant animation and a playful storyline. Chris Pratt voices Garfield with a witty and charming performance, capturing the character’s signature sarcasm and laid-back attitude. The film balances humor and heart, providing plenty of laughs for both children and adults. While it stays true to the spirit of the original comics, it also introduces fresh elements that make it a fun, engaging experience for new audiences. Overall, “The Garfield Movie” is a delightful family film that honors its source material while offering a modern twist.

The Garfield Movie is a vast improvement over the previous live-action Garfield films. Initially, I didn’t expect much, but by the end, I found myself loving this fun and adventurous film. It has a lot of heart, some good laughs, and is great for parents to take their kids to.

One of the standout elements of the movie is the introduction of Garfield’s father, Vic. This addition brings a fresh perspective to the Garfield universe. The dysfunctional father-son dynamic adds depth to the story, making it more engaging.

The plot cleverly intertwines this family dynamic with a heist storyline, which adds excitement and keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace. The movie offers plenty of laughs, with jokes that appeal to both kids and adults. The humor is well-timed and varies from slapstick to witty one-liners, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Odie, in particular, stands out and truly rocks in this film. His loyal and energetic presence brings a lot of charm to the screen. The chemistry between Garfield and Odie is spot on, providing some of the film’s most memorable moments.

In conclusion, The Garfield Movie is a delightful surprise and a significant step up from its predecessors. With its heartwarming story, engaging characters, and balanced humor, it’s a film that both kids and parents can enjoy together. The addition of Garfield’s father, Vic, and the dynamic he brings to the story, along with Odie’s standout moments, make this a must-watch for fans of the beloved cat. Whether you’re a long-time Garfield fan or new to his adventures, this film offers a fun and heartwarming experience that’s well worth the time.

A frankenstein monster film
I have been waiting from this film since it was announced during the pandemic back in 2021 but it suddenly got delayed multiple times and at some point many stuff was leaked before release teasing that something was going wrong during production, after the film finally released I realize I was right. The film feels like a less special Garfield version of The Peanuts Movie which instead commits the same mistakes as Toy Story 4 by getting less focus of the iconic characters like Jon Arbuckle and Nermal over new ones like Garfield’s father Vic in a mostly boring robbery storyline that you can feel was chopped during production as many scenes feel disconnected and with weird pacing and tonal issues.

very very bad
Saló genuinely had more funny moments and was easier to sit through. Also is it just me or is it kinda messed up to make a kids’ movie where the dad who abandoned his son as a baby comes back years later, has a completely reasonable explanation, loved him the whole time, and just becomes an active figure in his life again? Like, doesn’t that feel like it would give a lot of kids false hope? Maybe im reading too much into a movie that references keyboard cat in the first five minutes but when a movie gives you absolutely nothing for an hour and a half it’s hard not to overthink it. I miss when movies had real voice actors.