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- The Garfield Movie Features an Excellent Cast
- Chris Pratt Tackles the Role of the Legendary Feline
- The Garfield Movie Was a Summer Blockbuster Hit
As a film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of cinematic triumphs and disasters. The Garfield movies, much like their predecessors, have been a rollercoaster ride for me. The original animated films were a disappointment that left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans, myself included. However, The Garfield Movie, released in 2024, seemed to have struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.
In the year 2024, the renowned actor Chris Pratt lent his voice to the cherished role of the laid-back lasagna-loving cat Garfield in the amusing animated comedy “The Garfield Movie”. This film is a retelling of Garfield’s origins, with the comic strip feline gaining life on screen, and boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, and Snoop Dogg. Notably, this movie marks another big-screen interpretation of the famous cartoon character, following in the paw prints of comedic legend Bill Murray who voiced Garfield in two films from the 2000s, which were commercial successes but received mixed reviews from critics.
In a similar fashion, The Garfield Movie was a massive success among cinema-goers, raking in over $257 million during its theater run, yet much like its predecessors, the film failed to capture the hearts of critics. However, despite the mixed reviews, The Garfield Movie has continued to prove its worth and has become a popular success on Netflix since its debut earlier this month. It has climbed to the top of the platform’s charts, delighting fans of all ages with its heartwarming and entertaining narrative.
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The Garfield Movie Features an Excellent Cast
In the 2024 animated comedy “The Garfield Movie,” Chris Pratt voices the lead character, joined by an ensemble cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, and Hannah Waddingham. This film is an adaptation of Jim Davis’ popular comic strip about a lovable yet lazy cat named Garfield. The story unfolds as Garfield meets his long-lost father and embarks on an exciting journey. When Garfield and his best friend Odie (Harvey Guillén) find themselves in trouble, they are saved by the tough street cat Vic (Jackson). However, the sarcastic tabby is reluctant to accept this reunion.
Given his belief that his dad heartlessly abandoned him as a young kitten in an alley, Garfield finds it necessary to suppress his anger towards Victor (Vic) to safeguard him from the deranged Persian cat, Jinx (Waddingham), who is coercing them into executing a hazardous heist as retribution against the elder feline. As Garfield, Vic, and Odie conspire to burglarize Lactose Farms to pilfer a substantial amount of milk for Jinx, the previously strained bond between father and son starts to mend, with Garfield – the cat who adores lasagna – reconsidering his opinion about Vic and his honorable intentions for leaving him behind.
Chris Pratt Tackles the Role of the Legendary Feline
In a recent development, Chris Pratt has been selected as the new charismatic lead for the animated film adaptation of Garfield, the self-centered and sarcastic orange tabby cat. Director Mark Dindal has long envisioned Pratt’s voice bringing Garfield to life, and comic creator Jim Davis believes that Pratt possesses the versatility to portray all aspects of the character, not just his signature dry wit. Dindal shared with Variety that they tested Pratt’s voice against some of Garfield’s lines, and he was universally agreed upon as the ideal choice.
“He was discussing something related to food affection – I can’t recall if it was lasagna specifically. We incorporated this conversation into an animated scene, and it really seemed to embody the spirit of Garfield. It seems that Chris manages to convey both laziness and sarcasm in his authentic voice.
Before the Monday-hating cat was voiced by Pratt, comedy legend Bill Murray had previously lent his unique voice to the character in two big screen adaptations: “Garfield: The Movie” from 2004 and its sequel “Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties” in 2006. These movies were financial successes, but they were heavily criticized by critics who disliked the animated films’ scripts, humor, and overall quality. Many felt these movies failed to capture the essence of the beloved comic strip; the original animated film and its sequel have Rotten Tomatoes scores of only 14% and 12%.
In contrast to the largely unfavorable reviews of his two animated films, Murray maintained a positive demeanor about his portrayal as the iconic feline character. Notably, during his standout appearance in the 2009 horror-comedy “Zombieland,” when asked if he had any regrets as his on-screen persona was dying, the legendary actor playfully quipped, “Perhaps Garfield?” Fortunately for Pratt, “The Garfield Movie” received somewhat better critical acclaim than its predecessors and achieved significant commercial success upon its global premiere.
The Garfield Movie Was a Summer Blockbuster Hit
On May 24, 2024, the much-anticipated film adaptation of the classic comic strip, titled “The Garfield Movie,” was unveiled. This movie premiered alongside two other blockbusters, namely “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Sight.” The sixth Garfield film managed to gather $24.8 million during its opening weekend, trailing behind “Furiosa.” Eventually, it concluded its theatrical run with earnings of over $257 million, surpassing its production budget of $60 million. Critics’ reviews for “The Garfield Movie” were generally unfavorable, echoing the sentiments that the laid-back cat didn’t require a backstory and that the movie failed to resonate with the original strip. This is somewhat reminiscent of the Bill Murray films.
Despite garnering only a 36% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences found themselves quite taken with “The Garfield Movie”. It received a strong B+ CinemaScore and an impressive 80% score on Popcornmeter. The film resonated deeply with viewers due to its nostalgic charm and the top-notch voice acting from its talented cast. As a result, it was nominated for the Kids’ Choice Award in the category of Favorite Animated Movie.
Four months post the cinema release of “The Garfield Movie,” this hilarious and quirky flick has maintained its winning streak among viewers, dominating the streaming charts on Netflix. It outshone fresh releases such as “Uglies” and “Rebel Ridge” and continues to charm audiences of all ages with its heartwarming plotline and beloved characters. Perched comfortably at the top, it’s become a true streaming sensation. Despite mixed reviews from critics, it appears that this film has struck a chord with moviegoers. Why not catch “The Garfield Movie” on Netflix?
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2024-10-05 06:01