The Garfield Movie REVIEW: This adventurous outing with Chris Pratt and Samuel L Jackson will leave you smiling like a Cheshire cat

Film:
The Garfield Movie

Director: Mark Dindal

Cast: Chris Pratt, Samuel L Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, Snoop Dogg

Runtime: 105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes)

Platform: In Theatres

The Garfield Movie Review

Who doesn’t know Garfield? Well, he is world-famous and has now embarked on an adventurous journey in the wild outdoors. The movie begins with Garfield (Chris Pratt) having an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (Samuel L Jackson). This encounter leads him and his canine friend Odie (Harvey Guillén) on a high-stakes heist. Along the way, they make memories and friends. 

What’s works

The Garfield Movie is more than just a film – it’s a memory that will make many relieve their childhood. It’s story, the chemistry between the characters, the laziness of the tabby orange cat – they all check the boxes. Another plus of the film is the voice performances by all the artists. They enhance the film’s humour, charm, and emotions.

What doesn’t work

It’s predictable at times – a given owing as we’ve read the comic strip for years and know the characters – Garfield, Odie and Jon (Nicholas Hoult). The animation is a bit simple too.

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Technical Aspects

Direction

Mark Dindal has done a good job bringing The Garfield Movie to life; however, it doesn’t reach the benchmark set by his earlier films like The Emperor’s New Groove and Chicken Little. He has succeeded in bringing humour and fun that will click more with children and Garfield lovers than other adults.

Story, Screenplay & dialogues

The Garfield Movie follows the adventure of Garfield and Odie as they meet the tabby cat’s long-lost father, Vic. They get into a sticky situation and embark on a heist to escape the mess created by the scruffy street cat. The story is predictable and the screenplay is not something out of the ordinary. It’s CGI is standard animation (given the advancements we have made in the field at the moment). The film doesn’t push the envelope when it comes to these aspects of filmmaking.

The narrative does introduces the audience to many funny characters along the way who will make you laugh as they put Garfield into several uncomfortable situations. The dialogues are simple but fun and will make both kids and adults enjoy the humour in the same manner.

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Editing

The film is short – less than two hours; and while that’s normally good, Garfield lovers and kids will be left wishing they were given a couple more minute with the tabby cat.

The Garfield Movie Star Performances

The Garfield Movie is voiced by incredible artists like Chris Pratt, Samuel L Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames, and more. They all successfully convey the emotions of their character with their voice and modulate it to perfection to suit the situations.

Chris delivers a performance that is exactly what we expect from him – he is free and give Garfield a much-needed dose of charm without sacrificing his lazy attitude. Samuel does a good job as Vic, adding some much-needed family drama to enhance the feel-good movie. Ving as Otto (the bull), has limited screen time but steals every scene he – even if he does it with dramatic pauses

Conclusion

The film is a nostalgic trip for all those who grew up watching the cartoon and is infused with all the modern amenities they are accustomed to now. The Chris Pratt-Samuel L Jackson voiced animated film will make you relieve your childhood and laugh your heart out. We hope our The Garfield Movie review helps you in making a decision in watch the latest adventure of the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor orange.

Watch The Garfield Movie trailer here

Also Read: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes REVIEW: A visually appealing actioner with a weak script