The Garfield Movie (2024)

The Garfield Movie (2024)

 3/10

Starring          

Chris Pratt

Samuel L. Jackson

Hannah Waddingham

Ving Rhames

 

Directed by Mark Dindal

 

I have fond memories of the 2004 Garfield: The Movie, which starred Bill Murray as the voice of Garfield. The movie blended live action with CGI (even though, something of 2004 was not as fantastic as what we will see today), and I recall loving it. This new Garfield movie is entirely animated, and I was hopeful that without the restraints of love action, this movie has potential of being memorable. Well, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. To be honest, I can’t say how I would feel revisiting the 2004 version today, but this one certainly didn’t make me feel the same charm I felt back then.

This film feels more like a children's movie, and I’d say it’s best enjoyed through that lens. Everyone except for Odie seemed rather dull. The plot revolves around Garfield reuniting with his estranged father Vic. This is a regular plot path many animations take, an old Hollywood formula where a parent and child, separated at birth, must overcome their past in order to work together in the present. I’ve seen this story too many times before, and this film doesn’t add anything new or exciting to the mix.

The plot kicks off with Garfield enjoying his typical lazy life when he and Odie are kidnapped by Jinx, a criminal who used to be part of Vic’s crew. Jinx, who blames Vic for not saving her during their criminal past, demands Garfield and Vic work together to retrieve a quart of milk for each day Jinx spent locked up more than four years. It’s a rather bizarre request, but it sets off a new heist style adventure, for both father and son.

You can see all the possible potential this movie has, but sadly the execution was poor. The father and son dynamic was same old same old Hollywood formula, and their struggles to reconnect didn't add the emotional depth it seemed to promise. Watching them try to work together as they faced various challenges was more tedious than heartwarming.

What I can say is that, if you enjoy watching predictable and cliché filled movies and don’t mind the lack of innovation, you may find something to enjoy here.

Despite mine and others critic of this movie, it was a box office success. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if a sequel is already in the works. But for now, this movie stands as a rather forgettable chapter in Garfield's cinematic journey.