Phil Roberts 
The Garfield Movie is an absolute blast. The movie captures lightning in a bottle and marks a spectacular return to form for the lovable and sarcastic feline. It is filled with the cheesy layers of tropes and iconography that made him a household name.
The Garfield Movie is coming to cinemas on May 24th, promising to bring the lasagna-loving madness to the big screen. With Chris Pratt voicing Garfield and Samuel L. Jackson lending his iconic vocals to his father, the film has a lot of potential. But will it be able to capture the character’s spirit and stand on its own as a legitimate big-screen adventure?
Fear not, Garfield fans, because The Garfield Movie is a blast. The movie captures lightning in a bottle and marks a spectacular return to form for the lovable and sarcastic feline. It is filled with the cheesy layers of tropes and iconography that made him a household name. The screenplay is sharp and witty, the jokes are hilarious, and it’s packed with tongue-in-cheek fun. While it may not be the most original outing, especially compared to its animated rivals, director Mark Dindal has worked wonders here, and I cannot wait to see more.
REVIEW
The animated movie genre is currently experiencing a golden age. Last year, “The Super Mario Bros Movie,” “Trolls Band Together,” “TMNT: Mutant Mayhem,” “PAW Patrol,” and “Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse” surpassed expectations and dominated the global box office. This year, “Despicable Me 4,” “Kung Fu Panda 4,” and “Thelma The Unicorn” are all competing for their share of the box office. But the next tentpole animated fare to try its luck is The Garfield Movie.
Sony Pictures brought the film to the screen, designed to introduce a new generation of fans to the lasagna-loving feline. It starts strong and doesn’t look back, exploring innovative ways to deliver a movie worth watching. However, the film does become more predictable in the middle, but it compensates with its clever humor and unwavering wit.
CASTING
The decision to cast Chris Pratt as the main character raised some eyebrows. After all, the actor has appeared in almost every major franchise in the industry. However, after his lively performance as Mario in last year’s “The Super Mario Bros Movie,” the studio eagerly signed him, and the results are fantastic. Following in the footsteps of Bill Murray is daunting, but Pratt makes the transition seamless. He brings a fresh energy to the character, rejuvenating him for a new audience.
The studio clearly focused on staying true to the character during development. Thanks to Chris Pratt’s hilarious vocals, Garfield is back with some added sass. He’s still the same lazy, sarcastic, and cantankerous feline we have come to love, but Pratt has injected him with a new energy that is as welcome as it is infectious. Pratt clearly enjoys himself in this performance, and you can feel the energy oozing through every line of dialogue. This new energy also extends to his lifelong partner in crime, Odie.
DYNAMIC DUO
The interactions between Garfield and his beloved sidekick, Odie, have been given more depth. Odie has always been Garfield’s voice of reason and the occasional victim of his antics. In this story, we see the development of their relationship and their strong bond. Yes, Odie still receives his share of mishaps perpetrated by Garfield, but their bond never wavers, even in the face of certain doom.
After briefly looking back at the origins of Garfield’s relationship with his owner, John Arbuckle, and a rendezvous with a flock of Pizza delivery drones, Mark Dindal settles down to flesh out the backstory. In this new chapter of the feline’s illustrious legacy, we are introduced to Vic, Garfield’s father, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, who abandoned him in an alleyway when he was a kitten. Vic is unexpectedly brought back into his son’s life when his former partner in crime, Jinx, a villainous Persian cat, escapes from prison and seeks revenge. Suddenly, the two are forced to work together as they attempt to pull off a seemingly impossible heist.
FAMILY DYNAMIC
What follows is a story on two fronts. Garfield, Odie, and Vic set off to appease Jinx by pulling off the heist, while John, voiced by DC’s new Lex Luthor, Nicholas Hoult, sets off to track down his missing furry friends. But can Vic and Garfield mend their fractured relationship and save themselves from Jinx’s devious plans?
The film wastes no time exploring family ties and the impact of a father’s wrongdoing on his children. It doesn’t shy away from the theme of abandonment, even when the steady flow of sarcasm and clever anecdotes veils it. The subject matter may be masked by humor and glorious animation, but the message isn’t less powerful. The positive messages in the movie will strongly resonate with the audience, and the uplifting outcome will continue to impact families long after the film ends. A story with such depth is commendable, and the screenwriters deserve praise for their work.
CHARACTERS
Although Garfield, Odie, Vic, and John dominate most of the story, the film boasts some wonderful contributions from its talented voice cast. Hannah Waddingham is deliciously evil as Jinx and relishes unleashing her wicked side. The screenplay showcases her strengths, and it’s fantastic to see her fully expressing her talents zealously. The same can be said about Ving Rhames and Otto the Bull. In a departure from his usual roles, Rhames portrays a despondent bull yearning to reunite with his long-lost partner. While some aspects of his narrative are presented humorously, his sorrow adds depth to his character and significance to the story.
ANIMATION
I can’t finish this review without mentioning the beautiful animation in this film. Different animation styles have become common in today’s pop culture. The Spider-Verse movies redefined how we perceive animation as an art form with its distinct comic book style, and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem expanded the boundaries with its unique style. On the other hand, Trolls Band Together went for a crisp and clean animation style.
Here, DNEG Animation elevates its style with rich, vibrant, and captivating visuals. The aesthetics provide an experience that justifies the price of admission. It’s like watching a high-budget cartoon series; the results are fantastic. If only all animated films felt this well-rounded!
SETTLING THE SCORE
Composer John Debney is another noteworthy player deserving of praise. Throughout his career, Debney has delivered truly memorable scores for films like Iron Man 2, The Jungle Book, and Predators. The trend continues with The Garfield Movie, where Debney gets to flex his musical muscles and indulge himself. The results are another sensational addition to his filmography.
Furthermore, at various points in the film, the composer incorporates two iconic themes from other franchises, which genuinely elevate the experience. While their inclusion is humorous, cinephiles in the audience will undoubtedly be thrilled to hear the famous themes resonate throughout the auditorium.
VERDICT
While the film occasionally falls back on familiar tropes, The Garfield Movie is a delightful and multi-layered treat. Chris Pratt’s energetic performance drives the film forward, making it a genuinely enjoyable experience. The movie’s positive message about family and togetherness is uplifting, and this sentiment is balanced by the trademark wit and sarcasm that the franchise is known for.
The animation is rich and vibrant, and John Debney’s bombastic score hits the high notes. Director Mark Dindal may not have set out to break the mold, but here, he has successfully expanded the sandbox to develop the franchise’s lore and take it to new heights. Coupled with the performances of its excellent supporting cast, this ensures that Garfield is back with a marinara sauce-topped bang!
So book your tickets now and prepare for a lasagna-layered thrill ride that’s fun for the whole family. Just be sure to pack a healthy appetite!
The Garfield Movie brings the lasagna-layered hijinks to cinemas on May 24th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
