BEFORE: I started watching films about cats, and as if on cue, a new stray kitty has moved into our backyard. We've got two cat houses out back, they're plastic tubs with holes cut in the side, and they're insulated so strays can survive the cold winter. This little tortoise-shell colored cat has taken up residence, which is fine since we haven't seen our last backyard cat, Condoleeza, in quite some time. I'm not sure if this is a boy or girl cat, but either way we might have to catch it and neuter it if it's going to stick around.
THE PLOT: Jon Arbuckle buys a second pet, a dog named Odie. However, Odie is then abducted and it is up to Jon's cat, Garfield, to find and rescue him.
AFTER: This film was bound to live or die based on the casting of Garfield's voice - I remember the old TV specials where Garfield's voice (OK, thought-voice) was done by Lorenzo Music, who was also famous for voicing the unseen doorman, Carlton, on the old "Rhoda" sitcom. They cast Bill Murray (last heard in another animated film, "Fantastic Mr. Fox"), which I think turned out for the best. His voice is very expressive, and at the same time has that sort of sad lilting quality that works well for a lazy cat.
There's a theme very similar to "The Aristocats" - again there is a stuffy, bald villain who seeks to profit from the fate of animals. Tonight it's a TV host who kidnaps the dancing Odie so he can get a regular gig on a national daytime show. And Garfield has to go on the "impossible" quest to the big city to rescue him.
But since this is a movie aimed at kids, there's a lot of slapstick and a very thin plot, and for the most part logic gets thrown out the window. OK, so Garfield can understand English. And he talks, but humans can't hear him - all that's sort of standard for a kid's cartoon. But he also seems to understand complicated mechanical devices, plus there are times when he walks and dances in ways that a cat just can't. I'm trying not to hold a kid's animated film to the same standards as, say, a live-action spy film, but I'm afraid I just can't switch off the analytical part of my adult brain.
NITPICK POINT: So, in a universe where cats and dogs can talk to each other, why isn't Odie able to talk? He proves himself to not be stupid, and other dogs can talk, so what gives?
NITPICK POINT #2: Garfield and Odie are able to enter and leave the house at will. I understand it's important to the plot that Odie runs away and Garfield is able to pursue him, but what kind of irresponsible pet owner allows both of these things to happen? I guess my problem is really with people who install "pet doors", which I don't understand to begin with. If you love your pet, why let him leave the house? And can't all manner of other creatures enter your house through the pet door?
NITPICK POINT #3: Garfield is supposed to be fat and lazy, that's part of his charm. But he's seen in this film doing all kinds of stunts that would be impossible for the most athletic cat, let alone an overweight one. He does a lot of stuff here that contradicts his nature.
Also, I noticed a lot of "cheats" in the animation - times where complicated action either takes place off-screen, or Garfield is walking through a scene under a box or something - I'm not sure if someone was cutting corners on cost or time, but it's blatantly obvious. There are a few too many in-jokes, too (Garfield pokes fun at merchandising, Garfield stuck to a car window).
Starring Breckin Meyer (last seen in "The Craft"), Jennifer Love Hewitt, Stephen Tobolowsky (last seen in "The Fly"), and the voices of Nick Cannon (last heard in "Monster House"), Alan Cumming, Brad Garrett (last heard in "Jetsons: The Movie"), Debra Messing (last seen in "The Mothman Prophecies"), Richard Kind (last seen in "Stargate"), and Debra Jo Rupp (last seen in "She's Out of My League").
RATING: 3 out of 10 flea collars
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