So yes this week we finally went to see the all new Garfield movie! and yes there of course was collectables that went with this one and you can see that here.
but as for Garfield I have been a fan of Garfield for most of my life. I didn't really read the strips in the paper but I use to read them is like collected book form I would get at the book fair as a kid. I watched the TV specials and the Garfield and Friends show Saturday mornings and I went to see the original "Garfield: The Movie" in like 2004 and I have it on DVD and I can also I can say that Garfield is a contributing factor in me wanting to be a cartoonist and eventually an animator.
So with this new movie I was very excited to see it and I can say I wasn't disappointed (even Garfield at the start says the movie won't disappoint and he was right lol) I felt it was cute, sweet, a bit silly at times, funny and a bit actiony too.
Now as for the story it is a bit of an origin story in a way where like in the trailer you see how he meets Jon and how they move into her house and get Odie and all that and it kinda explains the whole idea of the basic story of Garfield complete with a "I hate Mondays" montage which is pretty funny. It goes on to show their home life and Garfield growing from a kitten to the familiar fat cat. there are some funny references in there too. So as Garfield and his family settle into their perfect life it gets turned upside down when Garfield's father Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) appears and pretty much takes Garfield and Odie 2 in door pets on a wild outdoor adventure that is pretty much a comedic heist movie.
Now I thought the movie was great like I said it was very cute and sweet and funny. There is plenty of humor both through physical stuff and plenty of gags and references and I thought it was very cleverly written and you have to pay attention at times when the camera is on Garfield Odie will be in the background doing something strange or funny like the railroad sign gimmick made me laugh. Also it can be random funniness also like when they were getting on the train and the gag with the used catapult dealer gave me a laugh too.
Now as for the voice acting I thought it was good from everybody and I know some complained about Chris Pratt as Garfield. Now I can kinda see that its not like the Mario movie where I felt it wasn't noticeable but in this it is you can tell that it is him and you recognize the voice right away. I didn't feel that at times it wasn't overly noticeable but for the most part I think I know why they cast him because he has that somewhat personality/persona that fits the character of Garfield. but all I can say is he did just as good of a job as Bill Murray did in 2004 The one thing though is I'm not sure about Nicholas Hoult as Jon? I do like Nicholas Hoult I think he's awesome in everything I seen him in but him as the voice of Jon didn't really click with me? I mean that is pretty much the only complaint I have.
but yeah in the end the animation was amazing it was perfect for this and I feel that this was the best way to go for a Garfield movie because it looks like the comics. and I feel that is the Garfield movie you would expect to get and done in a way that matches what you know about the characters this is how it should be.
So yeah if you love or loved Garfield then I would highly recommend this one.
