A Garfield Christmas Special Review

Let’s ask Garfield to put the star on the tree.

Based on the comics by cartoonist Jim Davis, A Garfield Christmas was released on television in 1987. Garfield spends Christmas with Jon’s family on the farm. The holiday becomes a festive time of surprises as Garfield learns to cherish spreading joy.

Garfield is my favorite comic! As a kid, I collected every Garfield comic book and media. I have watched A Garfield Christmas Special for the longest time. It’s just as important to watch movies from when you were a kid as an adult. They build new meaning.

Garfield loves to sleep, eat, and be snarky. As cynical as he is about his family and the holidays, there’s more to the lasagna-loving feline. The late Lorenzo Music’s portrayal of Garfield is fantastic, bringing his sarcastic attitude out of the comic strips.

My favorite storylines involve Jon going to the farm to visit his family. Jon’s family has a lot of personality. Jon’s mom is cheery while his dad tends to get annoyed. I always laugh when keeps on the tradition of reading 'Binky Saves Christmas' to his (adult) kids. As for Doc Boy - we can all relate to sibling moments.

More voice credits include Thom Huge, Pat Harrington Jr., Greg Berger, David L. Lander, Julia Payne, and the late Pat Carroll.

In case you didn’t know, Pat Carroll was also the voice of Ursula, the evil octopus in The Little Mermaid (1989). I would never have guessed. Carroll adds a touch of warmth and nostalgia to the comical grandmother. Similar to Garfield, she is not always open with her emotions.

One of the most moving parts of the special that becomes more genuine over time is when Grandma reminisces about her late husband. The scene is the quietest moment in the special. Even as a kid, I was still touched by this. The late Carroll’s delivery is profound. As the years go by, spending time with family becomes beneficial because of the memories.

One of the strengths of A Garfield Christmas Special is its well-paced narrative. There are several funny moments throughout the special. The humor, often stemming from Garfield's snide remarks and comedic mishaps, is genuinely funny and caters to both children and adults.

The animation copies most of the comic’s signature artwork. This is Garfield’s trademark. I’m not fond of the way Garfield has been animated now through CGI techniques because it ignores Jim Davis’s signature style.

The special is drawn like a comic, sketching backgrounds, and animating the character's humorous expressions. It creates an engaging viewing experience. The animation has some hitches, but the world of animation has evolved.

The special is more heartwarming than you think. Odie’s Christmas gift to Garfield is one example. As I have mentioned, Garfield and Odie’s friendship is underrated. The narrative doesn't shy away from addressing deeper themes, such as the importance of family and the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is not just about exchanging gifts. Holidays are a time to spend with family. The last three years have been so different for families due to the pandemic. Holidays are a time to create long-lasting memories. You don’t realize how important these memories are until later.

In conclusion, A Garfield Christmas Special is a delightful holiday treat that makes audiences laugh. This special is a fun way to introduce the kids to Garfield. It successfully captures the spirit of Christmas and is set against the backdrop of the familiar Garfield universe. Take a look at A Garfled Christmas Special. It continues to stand the test of time with several Garfield fans.