“Garfield”

By David DiCerto
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Cartoonist Jim Davis' popular comic strip about a pudgy puss with a bottomless stomach is cat-apulted onto the big screen in the flat feline farce, "Garfield" (20th Century Fox).

Recently dubbed the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, "Garfield" today is read in 2,570 newspapers by 263 million devoted fans around the globe. But, despite some funny moments, director Peter Hewitt coughs up a hairball in trying to stretch Davis' three-panel strip into a live-action, feature-length film, whose tomcat-foolery quickly grows staler than three-day-old Purina Cat Chow.

Bill Murray lends his lethargic larynx to the computer-animated tangerine tabby, who freaks out when his lovesick owner, John (Breckin Meyer), agrees to adopt a stray pup named Odie, as a way of endearing himself to a pretty veterinarian (Jennifer Love Hewitt).

The wisecracking, lasagna-loving cat soon finds himself vying with the peppy pooch -- who, as in the strip, does not talk -- for John's affection. But when the hapless hound goes missing, it is up to the finicky feline to spring out of inaction and save the day. With uncharacteristic energy, Garfield pulls himself away from his lazy life of leisure and ventures into the big city to rescue Odie from the cruel clutches of Happy Chapman (Stephen Tobolowsky), a local TV celebrity who will doggedly do whatever it takes to make it big.

Of course, it's hardly letting the cat out of the bag to reveal that by the end of the film catastrophe is avoided, as Garfield, in a rare meow-culpa, comes to realize that there is room enough on the comfy couch for two -- well, sort of.

Fans of Davis' comic strip may have mixed reactions to the movie. Murray's voice provides the pitch-purrfect blend of sarcasm and slovenliness to the curmudgeonly cat, who, thanks to the magic of computer animation, closely resembles the cartoon.

However, while the computer animation gives the film's Garfield the added advantage of three-dimensionality, the net result of the mediocre script is a much more one-dimensional character than the penned version.

On the other hand, director Hewitt's decision to use a real dog for Odie -- while adorable -- may give some fans pause. The film also sports a talking menagerie of supporting players, a la "Babe," including a street-smart mouse (Evan Arnold) who helps Garfield in his search-and-rescue mission.

Actors Breckin and Hewitt are appealing -- for humans, that is -- but hardly the cat's meow. Tobolowsky embarrasses himself enough for nine lives, but perhaps that's being too catty.

While the film wonderfully maintains the comic strip's droll sense of sardonic wit, buried under the kitty litter is a family-friendly message about friendship and selflessness.

Still, moviegoers might be advised to follow Garfield's lead: Stay home and take a catnap.

Due to some brief mildly crude humor, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

* DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.