Here Comes Garfield

I'm 46 and have seen tons of show. This is the only show/movie that ever made me cry.

I would have rated this attempt by Jim Davis and Co. about a five because I felt as though it wasn't creative and didn't seem to show that true Garfield spark we saw later on, but I changed my mind and gave it brownie points for the musical talent. The Song we hear as Odie is taken away to be put to sleep is soulful and beautifully sung (by who I'm not sure) and it captures the thoughts Garfield was having as he contemplated life without his best friend... I say CLOSE but not QUITE what I'll call a Jim Davis triumph- for that you'll have to watch, Garfield Goes to Hollywood and A Garfield Christmas.

As you may know, Garfield movies are animated frame-by-frame adaptations of the Garfield mini-books (the story specials, not the numbered books), with a few songs thrown in. Here Comes Garfield was the first movie, with nine more to follow.

OK, maybe it's just a cheesy 25-minute cartoon translation of a comic book, but I found it to be done remarkably well. I was embarrassingly moved by the tear-jerking "Goodbye My Friend" song that played around the time of Odie's impending execution. That was at age 7. Well, now that this just came out on the new "Garfield As Himself" DVD (which also contains the 2nd and 10th movies), I watched it last night at freaking 23, and damnit, I STILL almost cried. Then I felt like cheering when the "Together Again" reunion song got me all roused up during the big city pound breakout.

If you're a Garfield fan, prone to being moved by music, and have any problem admitting what a sensitive wuss you are, don't see this.

In 1978, Garfield appeared in numerous comic strips throughout the nation.

4 years later, the comic strips became a favorite to millions of people. So Garfield get's his own animation form in this old TV special.

Made 24 years ago, and is still a piece of history for the orange cat himself.

The story is about Garfield going through the same routine he normally goes through every morning. He and his so called pal Odie the Dog decide to mess around with a neighbor next door, who eventually called the pound to catch them. Garfield escapes but Odie let himself get caught. Garfield didn't care much if Odie is sent to the pound, cause he hates dogs and plays tricks on Odie a lot.

Garfield feels like he's the household pet of the house for a change, but the more he enjoys himself the more he starts to regret that it was his fault for Odie to end up at the pound. So he decides to go to town to save the dog he cares about deep down.

The animation is very dated, but very well made for it's time. The characters look similar to their comic appearances. Course Garfield's looks change within the years. This cartoon has some humor and great acting from the original and late voice of Lorenzo Music as Garfield.

But a highly appreciated TV special for all Garfield fans.

Most feature-length movies achieve only half of what Here Comes Garfield does. Even though it's only 24 minutes long. Garfield and Odie may have a love/hate relationship but deep down they need each other.

The feline and the canine torment an old neighbor, who promptly calls the animal pound, who takes Odie away. Garfield bids good riddance but later at night the guilt and dread of a missing Odie overpowers him and he sets about rescuing him from the pound.

Garfield may have come from a simple comic strip but there are some touching moments in this TV Special that prove why he has been so consistently popular for the past 25 years.

The animation mimics Jim Davis' early incarnation of Garfield (this was made in 1982) and although it's not as refined as the modern Garfield he's still the same great, fat cat. The late Lorenzo Music is his voice (or thoughts), though Thom Huge is not the voice of John, he would appear in the further TV Specials and the later TV Series.

A genuine classic.