Movie Reviews: Garfield

By Donna Schwartz Mills

  • Studio: 20th Century Fox
  • MPAA Rating: PG (for brief mild language)
  • Mom Rating: 4 out of 5
  • Kid Rating: 5 out of 5
  • Cast: Breckin Meyer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Bill Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky, Evan Arnold, Mark Christopher Lawrence
  • Writers: Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow
  • Director: Peter Hewitt

On paper, "Garfield" did not sound good.

We have here yet another comic strip movie where the lead character is created through CGI. Not only that, but the character last appeared on the nation's "Hot" list about 20 years ago. I expected it to be dreadful.

This goes to show why it's important to have an open mind.

"Garfield," voiced by the incomparable Bill Murray, is *funny*. True, it did not have me rolling in the aisles, as I have done with more adult fare (think "Meet the Parents" or "Dumb and Dumber"). But my 8-year-old was giggling hysterically -- and it will be many, many years before I'll allow her to see anything directed by the Farrelly brothers.

The plot is silly but the actions of the characters and the consequences all make sense within the confines of Garfield's world. Murray is perfectly cast as the voice of the biggest, baddest, laziest cat on the block, who is spurred to action when his owner, Jon, acquires a dog named Odie.

The movie explores two relationships: that of Garfield and Odie, and the budding romance between Jon (Breckin Myer) and veterinarian Liz Wilson (Jennifer Love Hewitt).

Bringing Odie into their family helps Jon make points with the beautiful Dr. Wilson... but it throws Garfield into a classic case of sibling rivalry. When the cat causes the dog to disappear, he feels remorse and sets out to find him. Unfortunately, an unscrupulous TV host (Stephen Tobolowsky) has found the dog (who has a talent for dancing) and wants to use him to further his career.

None of the other animals in the film are computer-generated (although there were probably digital maneuvers to get them to appear to talk). Voices for the other cats, dogs and mice are supplied by accomplished comics and actors like Debra Messing, Alan Cumming, Brad Garrett, David Eigenberg, Jimmy Kimmel and Nick Cannon.

Odie is also portrayed by a real dog; a half-Dachsund, half-Cairn cutie named Tyler, who does some tricks that will knock your socks off.

Myer and Hewitt make a sweetly attractive couple and were very good in their roles. I appreciated the fact that screenwriters Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow (whose previous credits include "Toy Story") kept their relationship chaste.

About the Author:

Donna Schwartz Mills took film classes in college and spent 13 years working in the entertainment industry before "retiring" to marry a "non-pro" (Variety's term for anyone in any other business) and become a mom. Today, she's lucky if she can attend two "R" rated films per year -- but she feeds her movie habit by dragging her little girl to every family film that comes out, often on opening day.

Donna is Webmaster Mommy of http://www.socalmoms.com/, a new resource for moms in Southern California. She is also the work-at-home expert behind http://www.parentpreneurclub.com/ and editor/owner of http://www.family-content.com/.

Donna may be contacted by email at mom@socalmoms.com.

Article courtesy of Family Content Archives.