The Purr-fect Family Affair: A Review of The Garfield Movie
The dynamic duo
The world’s most famous lasagna-loving, Mondays-averse feline is back on the big screen in The Garfield Movie. This animated adaptation of Jim Davis’ long-running comic strip is a generally amiable and family-friendly film, but it falls short of being a truly memorable cinematic experience.
Father-son bonding
Chris Pratt voices the gluttonous orange tabby cat, who finds himself kidnapped by the villainous Jinx (voiced by Hannah Waddingham). As Garfield navigates his way through this unexpected adventure, he discovers that his abductor’s real target is his estranged dad, Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson). With the help of his human buddy, Jon (voiced by Nicholas Hoult), and his dog, Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillén), Garfield must put aside his resentment and learn to cooperate with his father to obtain the king’s ransom in milk that Jinx is demanding.
The gang’s all here
The film takes the trio on a wild ride to a dairy farm, where they receive training in tactics from Otto (voiced by Ving Rhames), a bull with a grudge against the establishment. While the movie has its moments of enjoyable comedy and gentle sentiment, the script’s lessons about not judging others too hastily and the value of teamwork can’t disguise the slapdash nature of the proceedings.
Garfield takes action
Despite its shortcomings, The Garfield Movie is a harmless, family-friendly film that’s suitable for all ages. Parents need not worry about excessive potty humor or mature themes, making it a great option for a fun family outing.
Rating: PG Classification: A-I - General Patronage ** Runtime:** TBA
