I grew up with Garfield. I mostly read the comic strips. I have a few DVDs of the cartoon episodes. Never really was a fan of Garfield and Friends though, because I felt like the extra characters weren't needed. I purchased this film on DVD when it came out. I still have it, but I watch it on YouTube, since I spend the majority of my time on my laptop. CGI isn't usually my favorite, but I don't understand the criticism. The animation really doesn't look all that bad. It looks a thousand times better than The Garfield Show. Garfield's body is all disproportionate and it's atrocious! In my opinion, he's much cuter here.
Garfield Gets Real is a different concept than the comics. Instead of the audience being able to hear Garfield's sarcastic thoughts as he goes throughout his days eating, and getting into all kinds of situations around his neighborhood, the story is changed around, and they're given a totally different perspective of Garfield. Along with Jon, Odie, Nermal, and Arlene - they're all living in a cartoon universe of sorts, called Toon World. They work at a place called the Comic Studios, and so do other comic strip characters. They make comics that are sent to the "The Real World," for humans to read. The film starts off quite depressing. Garfield is bored with his job. He's exhausted from his coworkers acting silly every morning, and telling the same jokes. I can identify with how he was feeling. I couldn't the first time I watched this, because I was 14, and therefore wasn't old enough to work. Kids won't be able to relate, so that aspect will go right over their head. There's a screen that separates Toon World from the human world. Wanting a change of scenery, Garfield steps through the screen. When everybody notices, the head technician, Eli, puts tape on the screen, so none of the other toons can go through. Odie also ends up on the other side, when he was trying to get his bone. They encounter a couple of stray cats and a dog. For the rest of the movie, Garfield and Odie work together to try and return to the Toon World.
Yes, I do acknowledge this film breaks a cardinal rule: Garfield talks, out loud. People who are hardcore fans of the original will be unhappy, but hey, I'm lenient with changes. As long as they don't ruin the story, anyway. I think it'll hold kids' interest, seeing as how they like CGI. I will admit - seeing Garfield portrayed as a celebrity (meaning, he was playing a cat who loved to eat and laze around the house, instead of actually BEING a cat who loved to eat and laze around the house), was a little disappointing for the imagination. But overall, it's an animated film that does have some funny moments and clever lines. It's a great choice for your family movie night if you have kids!
Garfield Gets Real is a different concept than the comics. Instead of the audience being able to hear Garfield's sarcastic thoughts as he goes throughout his days eating, and getting into all kinds of situations around his neighborhood, the story is changed around, and they're given a totally different perspective of Garfield. Along with Jon, Odie, Nermal, and Arlene - they're all living in a cartoon universe of sorts, called Toon World. They work at a place called the Comic Studios, and so do other comic strip characters. They make comics that are sent to the "The Real World," for humans to read. The film starts off quite depressing. Garfield is bored with his job. He's exhausted from his coworkers acting silly every morning, and telling the same jokes. I can identify with how he was feeling. I couldn't the first time I watched this, because I was 14, and therefore wasn't old enough to work. Kids won't be able to relate, so that aspect will go right over their head. There's a screen that separates Toon World from the human world. Wanting a change of scenery, Garfield steps through the screen. When everybody notices, the head technician, Eli, puts tape on the screen, so none of the other toons can go through. Odie also ends up on the other side, when he was trying to get his bone. They encounter a couple of stray cats and a dog. For the rest of the movie, Garfield and Odie work together to try and return to the Toon World.
Yes, I do acknowledge this film breaks a cardinal rule: Garfield talks, out loud. People who are hardcore fans of the original will be unhappy, but hey, I'm lenient with changes. As long as they don't ruin the story, anyway. I think it'll hold kids' interest, seeing as how they like CGI. I will admit - seeing Garfield portrayed as a celebrity (meaning, he was playing a cat who loved to eat and laze around the house, instead of actually BEING a cat who loved to eat and laze around the house), was a little disappointing for the imagination. But overall, it's an animated film that does have some funny moments and clever lines. It's a great choice for your family movie night if you have kids!