Garfield: The Movie Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lazy cat finally gets off the couch because a dog threatens his lasagna supply and ends up on a cross-country rescue mission, proving that even Garfield has a heart (somewhere under all that fur).

🍿 Garfield: The Movie: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Garfield’s Comfortable Life

Garfield, voiced by Bill Murray, enjoys a pampered life centered around lasagna, TV, and generally tormenting his owner, Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer). His peaceful existence is disrupted when Jon, trying to impress veterinarian Liz Wilson (Jennifer Love Hewitt), adopts a dog named Odie. Garfield immediately feels threatened by the energetic and affectionate newcomer.

Odie’s Arrival and Disappearance

Garfield’s jealousy leads him to lock Odie outside one night. The defenseless dog wanders off and is subsequently kidnapped by Happy Chapman (Stephen Tobolowsky), a local television personality who sees Odie as a way to boost his ratings. Stricken with guilt, Garfield breaks his cardinal rule of laziness and ventures out to find Odie.

The Rescue Mission

Garfield’s search takes him to the city, where he encounters various animal allies, including a resourceful mouse named Louis. He navigates the urban landscape and overcomes obstacles, driven by his newfound sense of responsibility. Jon and Liz also join the search, unaware of Garfield’s efforts.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Garfield (Bill Murray): A lazy, lasagna-loving cat who embarks on a journey to rescue Odie after initially being jealous of the dog’s presence.
• Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer): Garfield’s owner who tries to win over Liz by adopting Odie, leading to a series of unexpected events.
• Odie (N/A): A happy-go-lucky dog who is adopted by Jon, causing jealousy and eventually prompting a rescue mission.
• Liz (Jennifer Love Hewitt): A veterinarian and Jon’s longtime crush, who suggests the adoption of Odie.
• Happy Chapman (Stephen Tobolowsky): A fame-seeking television host who kidnaps Odie for his show, serving as the film’s antagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Garfield: “I hate Mondays.” – Garfield says this frequently, encapsulating his general disdain for the start of the week.
• Garfield: “Love me, feed me, never leave me.” – Garfield says this to Jon, summarizing his basic needs and expectations.
• Garfield: “Lasagna, my favorite!” – Garfield exclaims this with excitement whenever lasagna is present, highlighting his love for the dish.
• Garfield: “Odie, you are such a dumb dog.” – Garfield says this whenever Odie is doing something stupid, which is often.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $75,369,589
• Worldwide Gross: $203,172,417

💥 Garfield: The Movie Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I admit, I went in expecting a train wreck. But honestly, ‘Garfield’ had its moments. Bill Murray IS Garfield. I laughed out loud when Garfield was trying to sabotage Odie at the dog show. However, the plot felt a bit thin and the live-action/CGI mix was a little jarring. Still, it’s a decent movie to watch with the family on a lazy Sunday. The dog pound part was actually kind of sweet when all the animals tried to free themselves to help Garfield. It’s a pretty fun film!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Young children”
  • “Fans of the Garfield comic strip”
  • “Viewers looking for light-hearted family entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoon violence”
  • “Animal cruelty (use of a shock collar)”
  • “Some rude humor”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Tribune: “While Bill Murray’s voice work is spot-on, the movie itself feels declawed, lacking the sardonic humor of the original comic. It’s a harmless but ultimately forgettable family flick.
• Rolling Stone: “Garfield: The Movie is fluffy entertainment. Bill Murray nails the voice, but the movie struggles to find its identity, oscillating between kid-friendly antics and adult-oriented wit.
• Empire Magazine: “It’s not ‘Citizen Kane’, but for what it is – a movie adaptation of a comic strip – ‘Garfield’ isn’t half bad. Murray’s voicing is superb, and there are enough chuckles to keep the kids (and some adults) entertained.

Audience Reactions

Bill Murray’s voice acting perfectly captures Garfield’s lazy and sarcastic personality.: Murray’s performance is often cited as the best part of the movie.

Kids love the slapstick humor and cute animal antics.: Many parents mention that their children enjoyed the movie despite its flaws.

Overall Consensus: While critics were mixed, the film is generally considered a decent, family-friendly comedy that’s elevated by Bill Murray’s performance, despite a somewhat predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Bill Murray has stated that he only took the role of Garfield because he mistakenly believed that Joel Cohen (of the Coen Brothers) had written the screenplay. It was actually written by Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow and Jim Davis.”
• “The film was criticized for its CGI Garfield and its departure from the comic strip’s humor, which is geared more towards adults.”
• “Lorenzo Music, the original voice of Garfield in the animated series, passed away in 2001, leading to Bill Murray’s casting for the movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Garfield: The Movie?

Garfield: The Movie is available for streaming on platforms such as Disney+ and Hulu with a subscription. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand via Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for TV airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Garfield: The Movie, you might like these similar films:

• Cats & Dogs (2001): Features a blend of live-action and CGI animals in a family-friendly comedy.
• Stuart Little (1999): Combines live-action with a CGI mouse, offering a similar family dynamic.
• The Aristocats (1970): An animated film focused on cats with charming personalities.
• Sonic the Hedgehog (2020): A live action film where the main character is CGI and the movie is family friendly

🛒 Garfield: The Movie Related Products

• Garfield Complete Works: 1978-1982: A comprehensive collection of Garfield comic strips from his early years. A must-have for true Garfield fans. Relive the golden age of Garfield with every sarcastic quip and lasagna-filled adventure.
• The Essential Garfield, Vol. 1: Enjoy Garfield comics on your Kindle or tablet. Perfect for a quick laugh or a longer binge-reading session. Portable and convenient, this digital collection brings Garfield’s wit to your fingertips.
• Garfield Plush Toy: A cuddly and huggable plush toy of the famous fat cat. Perfect for kids and adults alike. Bring Garfield’s charm into your home with this soft and lovable plushie.
• Garfield Mondays T-Shirt: Show your love for hating Mondays with this official Garfield T-shirt. Available in various sizes and colors. Wear your Garfield pride with this comfortable and stylish tee.

🎧 Soundtrack

Garfield: The Movie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Holla” – performed by Baha Men
• “Naranja” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did You Miss the Most Shocking Film in Years?

This video from Channel Awesome takes a deep dive into the highly controversial movie “Garfield: The Movie,” offering witty and insightful commentary. You might be surprised by their take on this one!

How Garfield Lost His Magic

For fans of “Garfield: The Movie,” this video offers a critical look at how the Garfield franchise has evolved over the years. Quinton Reviews provides an entertaining and thought-provoking analysis of the film and its impact on the series as a whole.

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