Have always had a big soft spot for Garfield as both a child and young adult, who is in a way a child at heart but with a significantly broader knowledge of film and television. He is such a funny and lovable character and his specials and 'Garfield and Friends' are every bit as good, and perhaps even better, now. Am not as much a fan of the 2000s show, and while to me the live action films are not that bad (the second especially, actually being a huge improvement) they are still nowhere near close to being as good and will never go down as classics.
When it comes to the Garfield specials, 'A Garfield Christmas Special' is my personal favourite and always has been. Also among the best Christmas specials ever made from personal opinion, mainly in animation but also otherwise. High praise indeed coming from such a big fan of animation and Christmas for practically my whole life, and there are so many classic examples of Christmas portrayed in animation too numerous to list. It is so lovely to see so many others who are also as fond of Garfield and 'A Garfield Christmas Special' as me.
The animation is still as colourful as remembered with the smooth drawing, far from sparse backgrounds and attention to detail holding up really well. The music is playful and never placed questionably. The songs are upbeat, have emotional impact and above all they're memorable. "Can't Wait Till Christmas" is my favourite. Not a dud in the lot and that has not been said a lot, there are other personal favourites featuring songs (either musicals or song heavy) that still have a song that doesn't quite do it for me.
Entertainment value is constant, with extremely funny wry and witty humour peppered throughout. Very few animation characters make or have made asides as hilarious and as endearing as Garfield does. Yet there is also an emotional impact that is genuinely moving and not schmaltzy, underneath all the fun there is also a big warm heart. Also constant is the charm. The story is slight but not simplistic and it doesn't try to do too much and it becomes cluttered and muddled (two things that 'A Garfield Christmas Special' never becomes), and the sprightly pace keeps things continually compelling.
Garfield never stops being funny and lovable and who can't help love adorable Odie? The voice acting is on point, Lorenzo Music owned Garfield and no voice actor since him voiced him better or as well, that is including the multi-talented Frank Welker.
In conclusion, wonderful. Christmas is not the same without this. 10/10 Bethany Cox
