May 31, 2024 – This is the third feature length movie based on the popular comic strip character created by Jim Davis. As with the first two, this one has been panned by critics, but is commercially successful. The only reason I went to see this is because it is being shown in 3D. I did not expect much from this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised. I laughed, and the story was compelling enough to hold my attention.

In this latest Garfield movie, Garfield is reunited with Vic, his estranged father. A vengeful Persian cat named Jinx, forces Garfield, Vic and Garfield's friend, Odie the dog, to perform a heist. Garfield, Vic and Odie are aided in the heist by a lonely bull, Otto, who agrees to help them hijack a truck full of milk (the required heist) if they will also rescue his sweetheart, a cow named Ethel, imprisoned at the dairy farm.

There are numerous complications during the heist, and the getaway that follows. There is a very determined security guard, Marge Malone, to deal with, as well as two dogs named Roland and Nolan who both work for Jinx, who has no intention of letting Vic off the hook for his perceived betrayal of her.

One of the gags in the movie is the character of Odie. Portrayed as fairly brainless and inept in the comic strip, in the movie, he is far more competent than Garfield or Vic. The lonely bull, Otto, is a true mastermind, who ends up running the heist operation.

Garfield is angry with Vic, who abandoned him when he was a kitten, but during the course of the movie, he learns that what happened when he was a kitten is far more complicated than he thought. Vic had good reasons to stay away when he discovered that Garfield had been adopted by a caring owner, Jon Arbuckle.

This is mostly a movie for kids, but there are a few trappings for adults, such as calculated cultural and movie references. There is a good supply of slapstick comedy in the movie that is effective at times. This film is written by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove and David Reynolds, and is directed by Mark Dindal.

Voice talents include Chris Pratt as Garfield (Bill Murray was the voice of Garfield in the first two Garfield films) Samuel L. Jackson as Vic, Ving Rhames (of the “Mission Impossible” movies) as Otto, Hannah Waddingham (of “The Fall Guy”) as Jinx, Nicholas Hoult (of “Renfield”) as Jon Arbuckle, Garfield and Odie's owner, Cecily Strong (of “Ghostbusters”) as Marge Malone, Snoop Dogg as Maurice, a blue Maine Coon cat and Jeff Foxworthy as a bird that gets zapped. This movie rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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