The Garfield Movie delivers a solid dose of entertainment, although it is ultimately a forgettable experience. The film is not an attempt to reinvent the wheel, but stays true to a formula that most viewers are comfortable with. From the beginning, the film presents a style of humor reminiscent of classic Looney Tunes Cartoons full of slapstick and absurd situations that make you laugh. At the same time, the animation style and the use of pop songs are similar to what you would expect from Illumination films, such as Minions or Despicable Me.
One of the most touching aspects of the film is the heartwarming moments between Garfield and Vic. These interactions underscore the film’s central theme, which is the importance of family bonds. The emphasis on familial love, whether between humans and their pets or between the animals themselves, adds a layer of sincere emotion that contrasts nicely with the film’s overall lighthearted and humorous tone.
Visually, the animation is a standout feature of the film. Garfield in particular is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail and relatable charm (with Chris Pratt’s help, of course). Sony Animation did a great job of finding that balance and making this character even more relatable. Additionally, the colorful visuals of the entire film also capture the attention, even if the story itself isn’t particularly groundbreaking.
In total The Garfield Movie may not leave a lasting impression, but it does offer families a delightful and heartwarming adventure. It’s a film that’s easy to watch and enjoy, even if it won’t stay with you long after the credits roll. Still, it’s a good film for fans of the comic and anyone looking for something light.
Film review: 3/5 Atoms
video
The Garfield Movie is available on Blu-ray with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC HD presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. As with most CG-animated films on Blu-ray, the picture quality is excellent. First of all, the contrast is impeccable, with bright, sharp highlights and deep, dark shadows. Additionally, the film’s vibrant and colorful palette shines as colors jump off the screen. The level of detail on this Blu-ray release is also impressive. Even the smallest elements, like individual strands of fur and blades of grass, look sharp and well-defined.
Video Review: 5/5 Atoms
Audio
The Garfield Movie is available on Blu-ray with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation. The audio mix in The Garfield Movie is impressive. The mapping of sounds to action is precise, with sound movements matching exactly what is happening on screen. This is especially evident in the scene where Garfield, Odie and Vic fall through the vent pipes of Lactose Farms.
The instruments are beautifully spread across the soundstage from the start, giving you an idea of what’s to come. However, it’s worth noting that this is when the score is playing independently. When other sound effects or vocals are introduced, the score is cleverly placed at the forefront of the mix so as not to compete with the dynamic sound effects surrounding the soundstage.
Dialogue is crystal clear throughout the film, and the low frequency effects in this mix are plentiful and well-realized. Whether it’s sound effects, music, or the deep voices of actors like Ving Rhames, the subwoofer delivers satisfying bass that adds depth and rumble to the subwoofer.
Audio Review: 5/5 Atoms
Special features
The Garfield Movie Hits Blu-ray with the following bonus features on the disc:
- House cat, outdoor adventure
- Cast of Critters
- Gag role
- Easter eggs: Garfield-style garnishes
- Deleted Scene – “I’m Back” Animatic, featuring Hannah Waddingham
- Drawing instructions
- Garfield, Odie and Jon
- Vic, Otto, Jinx, Roland and Nolan
- Concept art and animation
- Animation history role
- Gallery of characters and environments
Evaluation of functions
“Indoor Cat” is an EPK-style featurette that briefly explores how the filmmakers brought Garfield into 2024. Although it’s short, it offers insight into the creative process behind modernizing this classic character. Similarly, “Cast of Critters” is another short EPK-style featurette that introduces the voice actors behind the film’s main characters. It’s a straightforward featurette that offers insight into how these characters were brought to life. The gag reel is by far the best feature of this release. It’s genuinely funny and a must-see for anyone who enjoys watching movie mistakes.
“Easter Eggs” is a featurette in which director Mark Dindal takes viewers on a tour of the various Easter eggs hidden throughout the film. Another notable inclusion is a deleted scene that adds visual animations to Hannah Waddingham’s song “I’m Back,” which is heard during the end credits.
If you’re interested in art and animation, be sure to check out the “How to Draw” featurette. It’s more than just a simple tutorial. This feature shows how to draw these characters and explores the thought process behind their designs. Additionally, “Concept Art and Animation” is of interest to aspiring animators. This featurette gives a brief overview of the entire filmmaking process, from the initial storyboards to the finished animated product.
Rating of special functions: 2.5/5 atoms
In total, The Garfield Movie offers an entertaining, if forgettable, experience with vibrant animations and heartwarming moments. The video and audio presentations are top-notch, but despite some entertaining features, it still lacks special features.
Overall rating: 4/5 atoms
The Garfield Movie will be in stores on Blu-ray on August 27th.
This Blu-ray was provided by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for review purposes.
