Garfield, the lasagna-loving cat, returns in a new animated movie, but unfortunately, it falls flat. Despite a strong voice cast, led by Chris Pratt, the film fails to bring anything new or exciting to the table.
The Story of Garfield’s Early Days and New Misadventures
The Garfield Movie aims to explore the titular cat’s early days and new misadventures. Garfield’s origin story is told through his own narration, a gimmick that quickly becomes tiresome. Abandoned as a kitten, Garfield finds his way to Jon Arbuckle’s arms. However, Garfield and his friend Odie are soon drawn into a mysterious plot involving Garfield’s father, Vic, and a former partner in crime, Jinx.
Chris Pratt’s Performance as Garfield
Chris Pratt voices Garfield, and while he manages to find humor in certain lines, his performance is overshadowed by stronger cast members like Samuel L. Jackson and Hannah Waddingham. Pratt’s Garfield lacks depth, and the movie does little to make him a compelling protagonist.
A Lackluster Plot and Predictable Beats
The Garfield Movie’s plot moves quickly, but it doesn’t offer much in terms of creativity or originality. The film centers around a milk heist and Garfield’s strained relationship with his father. While the father-son storyline tugs at the heartstrings, it feels predictable and doesn’t add much depth to the film.
Strong Supporting Characters
Though Pratt’s Garfield is underwhelming, the supporting characters shine. Ving Rhames’ Otto, a bull involved in the heist, stands out with a compelling backstory that could have added more depth to the movie. Unfortunately, the film focuses on predictable comedic beats rather than exploring these interesting characters.
Overall Impression
The Garfield Movie is a lackluster animated adventure that doesn’t offer anything new or exciting. While it may entertain younger audiences, it fails to capture the magic of other animated films. With strong supporting characters and a decent voice cast, the movie had potential, but ultimately, it leaves much to be desired.