{"id":12074,"date":"2024-05-24T03:36:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T10:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=12074"},"modified":"2024-06-10T15:21:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T22:21:16","slug":"the-garfield-movie-heartwarming-story-beautifully-animated-great-pace-and-laugh-out-loud-humor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2024\/the-garfield-movie-heartwarming-story-beautifully-animated-great-pace-and-laugh-out-loud-humor\/","title":{"rendered":"The Garfield Movie * Heartwarming Story Beautifully Animated, Great Pace And Laugh-Out-Loud Humor"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"203\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.poster.png?resize=203%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12082\" style=\"width:120px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.poster.png?resize=203%2C300&amp;ssl=1 203w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.poster.png?w=540&amp;ssl=1 540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Garfield Movie * Heartwarming Story Beautifully Animated, Great Pace And Laugh-Out-Loud Humor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father \u2013 scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) \u2013 Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, \u201c<em>The Garfield Movie<\/em> is a heartwarming story with a great pace and humor that\u2019s cleverly put together.\u201d Carter P. adds, \u201c<em>The Garfield Movie <\/em>is fun, heartwarming, has a great villain, stunning animation is stunning and an exceptional cast.\u201d Alma K. comments, \u201cI have always loved all things Garfield, so I was expecting to love <em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>\u2014and I do! It remarkably captures the essence of Garfield, and I couldn\u2019t think of a better movie to bring Garfield back to the big screen where he belongs.\u201d Arjun N. adds, \u201cThe cast features an ensemble of Hollywood greats performing voice acting that prevails against the somewhat derivative heist plot and awkward humor that often plagues kids\u2019 films.\u201d Audrey S. wraps it up with, \u201cThe film\u2019s message is that you should never judge others without knowing their full story. You may think that you know how something happened, but it\u2019s important to get all the information.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garfield Movie<br>By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uCbPjA7gCUY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"151\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.f-1.jpg?resize=300%2C151&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12090\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.f-1.jpg?resize=300%2C151&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.f-1.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>The Garfield Movie<\/em> is a heartwarming story with a great pace and humor. It\u2019s cleverly put together with beautiful animation which makes it an engaging film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The story follows the cat, Garfield (Chris Pratt), who has the dream life \u2013 a dog best friend, a nice house, and most importantly, access to an endless amount of food. Everything\u2019s going perfectly until he reunites with his long-lost father. The animals have a perilous journey ahead of them, having to deal with the conflict between the father-son duo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h6fut3TG9DI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I really like this movie because it\u2019s super funny but also has deep messages about relationships with important people in your life. Its main characters are Garfield, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), Jon (Nicholas Hoult), Otto (Ving Rhames) and Jinx (Hannah Waddingham). The characters are unique and represent different emotions \u2013 Garfield represents anger, Jon represents anxiety, Vic represents regret, and Otto represents sadness and longing. It illustrates a positive message for the younger generation at the end of the movie. I really like the animation; it\u2019s unique and a cool mix of 2D and 3-D awareness of space. There isn\u2019t a dull moment in this film. It\u2019s constantly engaging, like when they\u2019re running from a nasty security guard or dodging ridiculously big cutting knives. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.d.jpg?resize=300%2C169&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12080\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.d.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.d.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.d.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I like the pacing; it\u2019s not too fast nor too slow. Plus, there are flashbacks to when Garfield was a young kitten, which gives the film a strong backstory. The background music helps set the mood. When it\u2019s raining and young Garfield is abandoned, the music is slow and depressing. However, when Odie and Garfield are playing, the music lightens up. My favorite part of the movie is when Vic gets Garfield on the train by launching him off of a tree branch. Garfield bounces off trees, animals, rocks, and more, and it\u2019s hilarious to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film\u2019s message is about forgiveness and family. Garfield\u2019s dad has a reason he left Garfield, which was actually to help him, rather than hurt him. Vic goes out searching for food and when he comes back, Garfield seems to be happy under Jon\u2019s care. Garfield and Vic forgive each other, and become close again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Garfield Movie <\/em>4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. <em>The Garfield Movie <\/em>releases in theaters May 24, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garfield Movie<br>Carter P., KIDS FIRST!&nbsp; Film Critic, age 12<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jhmx9HLK2WU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.p.jpg?resize=300%2C169&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.p.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.p.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.p.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I love <em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>.&nbsp;It is fun, heartwarming and has a great villain.&nbsp; The animation is stunning and it has some heartfelt moments with an exceptional cast.&nbsp; The film definitely kept me entertained from beginning to end and I was laughing out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Garfield (Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, scruffy street cat Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.&nbsp; There is nothing not to love about Garfield.&nbsp; He hates Mondays, loves lasagna, and is loyal to his best pals Jon and Odie.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"170\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.e.jpg?resize=300%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.e.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.e.jpg?resize=768%2C435&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.e.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I really love the animation in this film. It is extremely well done &#8212; the way the fur moves and how it looks on all the animals throughout the entire film is stunning.&nbsp; When the fur moves during action sequences and when the heist plans are being made, they even switched the animation style which I thought was particularly cool. I really do not think they could have picked a better cast for this film.&nbsp; Chris Pratt is perfect in the role of Garfield.&nbsp; I love hearing Harvey Guillen as Odie, especially his different barks with different emotions expressed throughout the movie.&nbsp; Hannah Waddingham voices Jinx, a cat who is the villain.&nbsp;She plays a fantastic villain &#8212; she is a little intense, but never too scary even for younger audiences.&nbsp; I like that the plot is made simple so kids can easily understand it and the storyline is so funny.&nbsp; This movie is rated PG; it is 1 hour and 41 minutes and it never drags.&nbsp; I was completely entertained by the entire movie.&nbsp; I left the theater wanting Italian food and a pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film\u2019s message is about teamwork, family, and friendship.&nbsp; It shows how family will always be there for you, no matter what.&nbsp;The film shares the importance of doing what is right and being loyal to the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Garfield Movie<\/em> 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.&nbsp; The Garfield Movie opens in theaters May 24, 2024. Be sure to check it out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garfield Movie&nbsp;<br>By Audrey L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 9&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ui5i8kVHiHw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"162\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.r.jpg?resize=300%2C162&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.r.jpg?resize=300%2C162&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.r.jpg?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>The Garfield Movie<\/em> is an entertaining animated film about a lovable tabby cat and his adventures. I like funny movies and this one definitely falls into that category. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt! This film isn\u2019t all jokes though; there are many heartwarming moments as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This film starts out by making sure the audience knows just how much Garfield (Chris Pratt) loves Italian food. While eating his morning snack, he begins to tell the story of how he met his owner Jon (Nicholas Hoult) after his own father Vic (Samuel L Jackson) seemingly abandons him. Jon takes Garfield in, and from there he has quite the luxurious life; he gets to sit around all day eating and watching cat videos on TV with his buddies. Unsuspectingly, Garfield is taken from his normal routine and forced to adjust to a world he is not prepared for. On this new journey, Garfield meets lots of new people and learns many new life lessons. With the help of his new friends and his dad, Garfield learns to be independent. Garfield eventually makes his way home to a new normal that he helps create.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.q.jpg?resize=300%2C169&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12084\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.q.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.q.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.q.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>The Garfield Movie<\/em> is an animated film that personifies everything from ordinary house pets to farm animals. The animation is very well done and the colors used are an iconic part of what makes Garfield, Garfield. The music used throughout this film really helps set the vibe at crucial moments, such as when Italian music plays at the local Italian restaurant and familiar \u201cdanger\u201d music plays during action scenes. My favorite character is Garfield because he is hilarious, loves Italian food, and hates Mondays! The selection of voice actors for each character is also spot on. When Roland the dog (Brett Goldstein) fakes a British accent to make Jinx (Hannah Waddingham) more comfortable, then switches back to his New York accent at the end, the talent of this voice actor really shines through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film\u2019s message is that you should never judge others without knowing their full story. You may think that you know how something happened, but it\u2019s important to get all the information. This message is successfully delivered through the development of Garfield\u2019s relationship with his father. Note that this film does contain some violence; although delivered in a funny way, some parents may be uncomfortable with their kids watching such aggressive behavior.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Garfield Movie<\/em> 5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It is available exclusively in movie theaters beginning May 24, 2024. Be sure to check it out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garfield Movie<br>By Alma K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gPAIYzZ-vrw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"183\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.c.jpg?resize=300%2C183&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12081\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.c.jpg?resize=300%2C183&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.c.jpg?resize=768%2C468&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.c.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I have always loved all things Garfield, so I was expecting to love <em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>\u2014and I do! The film remarkably captures the essence of Garfield, and I couldn\u2019t think of a better movie to bring Garfield back to the big screen where he belongs &#8212; and with a talented star-studded cast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The story follows Garfield (Chris Pratt) who has an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) when Jinx (Hannah Waddingham) \u2014 the movie\u2019s crazy vengeful antagonist \u2014 kidnaps both Garfield and his fellow pet Odie (Harvey Guill\u00e9n). Jinx forces the two of them from their perfect (marred only by Mondays), pampered, luxurious lives into joining Vic in a high-stakes heist as revenge against Garfield\u2019s father. The plot is tied in with so much humor and so many plot twists overall making it a fun family comedy.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.z.png?resize=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12094\" style=\"width:235px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.z.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.z.png?w=680&amp;ssl=1 680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Chris Pratt\u2019s voice suits Garfield perfectly, and he brings the right attitude and edge to the character. Samuel L. Jackson wonderfully conveys emotion into his character, Vic (Garfield\u2019s father) so as a viewer, you really end up feeling for his character. And Hannah Waddingham is outstanding as Jinx, Garfield\u2019s antagonist. She voices Jinx as maniacal and flamboyant but she also brings heart and soul to Jinx, making viewers sympathize with Jinx\u2019s motivations. Hannah Waddingham also has two songs in this movie:&nbsp; An original called \u201cI\u2019m Back\u201d which rolls over the end credits and a rendition of the French nursery rhyme \u201cAlouette, Gentille Alouette\u201d, the latter of the two occurring in my favorite Jinx scene.&nbsp;<em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>&nbsp;is really funny. I especially like the parts with Jon (Nicholas Hoult) in them. I do feel like there is a huge effort to make Garfield more modern in this movie&#8230; there are lots of pop culture references. In some cases it\u2019s done very well, but the movie overdoes this. Garfield calls himself \u201cG-money\u201d and makes shark tank references. And&nbsp;<em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>&nbsp;has a huge fixation on mobile devices. The film loses out on a very important nostalgic aspect of the film by attempting to adjust Garfield to better match the present-day audience. Garfield is relatable to modern kids and loved by the modern audience not because he has a phone. As Garfield\u2019s creator, Jim Davis says, \u201cGarfield is a human being in a cat suit\u201d. The film does flesh out his character and I really enjoy seeing it. Yes, his adventures are significantly wilder but that just makes them more fun to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The message of&nbsp;<em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>&nbsp;revolves around the importance of family and connection. It explores themes of sacrifice, the unseen presence of love, how misunderstandings can change your whole worldview, and the deep (sometimes hidden) bonds that define family.<br>I give&nbsp;<em>The Garfield Movie<\/em>&nbsp;4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2-18, plus families as well as all fans of the lovable cat. Look out for&nbsp;<em>The Garfield<\/em>&nbsp;<em>Movie,<\/em>&nbsp;which opens in theaters May 24, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garfield Movie<br>By Arjun Nair, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 22<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GihN6heSdQg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"141\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.m.jpg?resize=300%2C141&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12076\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.m.jpg?resize=300%2C141&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.m.jpg?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>The Garfield Movie <\/em>delivers a fun adventure while not fully delving into the signature deadpan humor that the Garfield comics are known for. While it underwhelms a bit, the film has a poignant hook with some heart to it. Families might have fun, and kids will adore the new chapter of the infamous Garfield\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This film follows Garfield (Chris Pratt) after coming of age with his owner Jon (Nicholas Hoult) and dog Odie. Unfortunately, trouble in paradise occurs once a mysterious group of animals kidnaps Garfield and Odie for a milk heist helmed by a nefarious cat Jinx (Hannah Waddingham). The conspiracy gets deeper once Garfield is paired with his long-lost, deadbeat dad Vic (Samuel L. Jackson). Bitter emotions follow, but one thing remains certain \u2013 they must settle their beef and team up if they want to successfully survive the heist.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.o.jpg?resize=300%2C158&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12075\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.o.jpg?resize=300%2C158&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.o.jpg?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">The cast features an ensemble of Hollywood greats performing voice acting that prevails against the somewhat derivative heist plot and awkward humor that often plagues kids\u2019 films. Chris Pratt, as Garfield, presents a newfound emotional side to the character with his baggage regarding his dad Vic, while retaining the natural charm he\u2019s known for. Unfortunately, the script never commits to the Garfield\u2019s signature deadpan humor; so, it often feels like Chris Pratt is just playing a caricature of himself rather than of Garfield. Regardless, he maintains witty and despicable father-son banter with Vic. Samuel L. Jackson is a highlight as Vic by maintaining his redemption alongside a whimsical demeanor. He easily delivers the film\u2019s funniest dialogue. The pack of criminals brings great stakes to the adventure at hand. Hannah Waddingham, as Jinx, overcomes her character\u2019s generically nefarious intentions with her commanding presence. Although Jinx is disappointingly written, her lackeys hold some originality in their absurdity. Brett Goldstein, as Otto, especially maintains a menacing foil to Garfield and Odie as a hound with a mute dog partner named Nolan, but the film pinpoints a hidden, sweeter side to the sinister pair. Garfield and Vic are helped by the headstrong mascot bull Otto, played by Ving Rhames. Otto is a great mentor to the two amidst their beef, and helps them out on their milk heist to get back at the farm and reunite with his \u201ccow lover\u201d who\u2019s detained there. Nicolas Hoult, as Jon, is sidelined by the overarching heist plot, but his yearning for his lost pets showcases a side to the character that pet owners will immediately relate with. Finally, Snoop Dogg makes a colorful cameo as Snoop Catt. Mark Dindal directs the film alongside vibrant, colorful animation. Despite some originality found here, too many pop culture references oversaturate the film.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.k.jpg?resize=300%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12077\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.k.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Garfield.k.jpg?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The film holds a great message about the importance of fatherhood. Although Vic left Garfield, it\u2019s his realization that Jon would bring a decent upbringing for Garfield that redeemed his character. It proves that Vic has the best of intentions, but there remains a lesson in the importance of communication. Similar to <em>Tom and Jerry<\/em>, the film features slapstick action and rude humor that never overstay their welcome for a younger audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Garfield Movie <\/em>3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The film releases on May 24, 2024 in theaters. Be sure to check it out in theaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father \u2013 scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) \u2013 Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, \u201cThe Garfield Movie is a heartwarming story with a great pace and humor that\u2019s cleverly put together.\u201d Carter P. adds, \u201cThe Garfield Movie is fun, heartwarming, has a great villain, stunning animation is stunning and an exceptional cast.\u201d Alma K. comments, \u201cI have always loved all things Garfield, so I was expecting to love The Garfield Movie\u2014and I do! It remarkably captures the essence of Garfield, and I couldn\u2019t think of a better movie to bring Garfield back to the big screen where he belongs.\u201d Arjun N. adds, \u201cThe cast features an ensemble of Hollywood greats performing voice acting that prevails against the somewhat derivative heist plot and awkward humor that often plagues kids\u2019 films.\u201d Audrey S. wraps it up with, \u201cThe film\u2019s message is that you should never judge others without knowing their full story. You may think that you know how something happened, but it\u2019s important to get all the information. This message is successfully delivered through the development of Garfield\u2019s relationship with his father.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4949,15],"tags":[7741,7739,7729,7733,7199,109,7737,7736,7738,5788,7223,7734,7730,7731,7742,7740,7743,7732,84,996,7735,6734],"class_list":["post-12074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-andrew-a-kosgove","tag-bowen-yang","tag-brett-goldstein","tag-broderick-johnson","tag-cecily-strong","tag-chris-pratt","tag-craig-sost","tag-crosby-clyse","tag-david-reynolds","tag-hannah-waddingham","tag-harvey-guillen","tag-jim-davis","tag-john-cohen","tag-mark-dindal","tag-mark-torgove","tag-namit-malhotr","tag-nicholas-hoult","tag-paul-a-kaplan","tag-samuel-l-jackson","tag-snoop-dogg","tag-steven-p-wegner","tag-ving-rhames"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-38K","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12074"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12174,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12074\/revisions\/12174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}