The Garfield Movie Review: That Misses the Mark

The Garfield Movie

The Garfield Movie 2024 ‧ Family – Comedy

The Garfield Movie” is a pointless cash grab that fails to capture the essence of the beloved comic strip. With unsuitable content, underdeveloped characters, and a convoluted plot, it disappoints both kids and adults. A missed opportunity that proves unnecessary.

Movie Name: The Garfield
Release date: May 24, 2024 (USA)
IMDb RATING: ⭐5.9/10
Director: Mark Dindal
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
Adapted from: Garfield
Box office: $97.6 million
Music by: John Debney

I cannot think of a single reason for another The Garfield movie, and apparently, the people who made this couldn’t, either. It reminds me of the legendary comment about “Nancy,” which, like “The Garfield,” was originally a comic strip known for the spareness of its design and the helium-weight lightness of its humor. When asked to explain “Nancy,” someone once said, “It takes less energy to read it than to skip it.” Those with children pestering them to see “Garfield” will feel the same about this film. It’s not awful, but it’s probably fair to say that kids will feel that they have been entertained, though not necessarily enjoyed it. But those accompanying the children may feel frustrated by the emptiness that emanates from a film that is just an IP cash grab. Parents may have some concerns, which are discussed below.

The Legacy of The Garfield

Jim Davis’ wildly popular “The Garfield” comic strip started almost half a century ago, and for most of that time, it has centered on very few themes and characters. The Garfield is a cat who rules the home. No one could think of calling Jon, the human he lives with, as his owner. Also in the house is a dog named Odie, who exists in the world of the strip to be the subject of pranks and derision. Even though Garfield does not work, he hates Mondays. He loves food, especially lasagna.

Plot Summary

What works in a four-panel comic strip will not work in a feature film. So, this animated version of The Garfield, voiced by Chris Pratt, loves lasagna but is not as selfish and obnoxious as the Garfield who stars in the strip, the books, mugs, calendars, and t-shirts. In a brief prologue, we see how Garfield was left by his father in an alley when he was a kitten. Garfield spotted Jon at a table in an Italian restaurant, devoured Jon’s entire pizza and Jon was so taken with the kitten that they became roommates. (In this scene, Garfield passes by a sign that says “Lorenzo,” a shout-out to Lorenzo Music, the first to provide a voice for Garfield, in television specials, an animated series, video games, and commercials.)

In the present day, The Garfield has a great life, ordering drone food delivery by an app on Jon’s phone and watching videos on Netflix. Instead of being annoyed by and competitive with Odie, in this version, they are friends, and Garfield calls Odie his intern. Everything is fine until Garfield’s long-lost father, Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), shows up, causing Garfield to acknowledge the pain of his feelings of abandonment. He has no interest in developing a relationship with Vic, but Garfield, Odie, and Vic are all kidnapped together by revenge-seeking Jinx (“Ted Lasso’s” Hannah Waddingham). Then it turns into a heist film, as the only way they can escape is to help a huge bull named Otto (Ving Rhames) rescue his love, a cow named Ethel.

Problematic Elements

The storyline is complicated but not particularly engaging. Some elements are too arcane or unsettling for children and not of any special comedic value for adults. Garfield’s resentment over being abandoned by his father is a touchy theme, and children may not find its resolution entirely satisfying. The painful separation of Otto and his beloved is the consequence of the farm’s being purchased by an agribusiness, a plot line neither original nor resonant for a young audience.

A bird gets electrocuted and killed, and major characters get shocked with cattle prods and an electrified fence. Jokes about actor Daniel Day-Lewis and an extended “joke” about roadkill are poorly chosen. The villains are the only two significant female characters, and they are angry, shrill, and domineering. At one point, a character addresses the audience with what is supposed to be a joke: “If you have young children, this would be a good time to leave the room.” My advice is just to find a better movie.

The Garfield Movie Review: That Misses the Mark, image by/IMDb

Lack of Purpose

The film feels like a pointless cash grab, lacking any real purpose or reason for existence. It doesn’t capture the essence of the beloved comic strip, nor does it offer anything particularly fresh or innovative. While it may entertain children to some degree, adults accompanying them are likely to feel dispirited by the emptiness and lack of substance that emanates from the movie.

Character Development

One of the key issues with the film is the altered portrayal of Garfield himself. In the comic strip, he is known for his selfishness, obnoxiousness, and disdain for Odie. However, in this animated version, Garfield is depicted as a more likable and less abrasive character who is friends with Odie and refers to him as his “intern.” This departure from the source material robs the character of his iconic personality and may disappoint long-time fans of the comic.

Problematic Themes

While the film attempts to explore themes such as abandonment and Garfield’s resentment towards his father, these elements feel underdeveloped and may be too heavy for the intended young audience. Children may not fully understand or appreciate the resolution of these complex emotional issues.

Additionally, the film touches on unsettling topics such as animal cruelty, with scenes depicting characters being electrocuted or shocked with cattle prods. These elements, combined with poorly executed jokes about roadkill and actor Daniel Day-Lewis, contribute to an overall tone that feels misguided and inappropriate for a children’s movie.

Representation Concerns

The portrayal of female characters in the film is also problematic. The two significant female characters, Jinx and the unnamed agribusiness owner are depicted as angry, shrill, and domineering villains. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to the lack of positive female representation in the film.

Conclusion

Overall, “The Garfield Movie” feels like a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the beloved comic strip character. Its convoluted plot, inappropriate elements, and departure from the source material leave both children and adults feeling underwhelmed. While it may temporarily entertain young viewers, the film ultimately fails to capture the essence of Garfield or offer a compelling reason for its existence beyond capitalizing on the IP’s popularity. Parents and moviegoers would be better served by exploring more thoughtful and well-crafted family entertainment options.