Here Comes Garfield (1982 TV Short) User Reviews

So You Better Look Out

[soymilk · 8/10 · 17 July 2005]

This, the first in a steady line of entertaining Garfield specials, came about before the flabby tabby had completely found his footing in the character design department, so if the animation standard occasionally dips into crude or off-model waters (goodness – was Odie's neck really ever that spindly?), there's your answer. Slightly more vexing is a minor plot-hole that occurs around the final third simply to move things to a tear-jerking climax in which Garfield is forced to re-examine a few of his attitudes (exactly how long does an animal have to be in this particular pound before the possibility of being 'removed' starts looming over them? Odie hasn't even been there for a day, and already the other animals are predicting that he'll be next to go.). As wickedly superior as Garfield's scripting tends to be in comparison to a lot of your typical animated family fare, there are a small number of details which you'd be better off not thinking too diligently about in this one. Sit back instead and enjoy it for what it is: a simple, breezy and surprisingly touching little escapade, one which ranks as a sure-fire classic in the field of comic-strip TV spin-offs. Here, Garfield finds it in his lethargic paws to rescue Odie from ill-kismet in the local pound, having landed him in there after a series of pranks on the disgruntled old man next door.

With hindsight, I have to laugh at just how much this basic 24-minute cartoon managed to get my heart racing when I rented the video as a considerably younger viewer. Back then, the notion that Garfield might choose not to save Odie at all (as he considers for a brief while) just horrified me, not to mention the heartbreaking scene where the two of them spend what could well be their last few moments together. Really, the story is as safe and foreseeable as the next piece of family viewing, and when I recently got my hands on the DVD and gave it a re-visit, I wasn't too surprised that it had lost the power to have me dangling on the edge of my seat. What it still refused to give up doing, however, was to move me just as much as it did before. In its perfectly contented simplicity, 'Here Comes Garfield' goes for the most tried and trusted way of giving the human heart-strings a good tugging – matching a lachrymose tune with an ingenuous flash-back at just the right moment – and succeeds hands down. Sure, I'm fully aware that I'm a total softie, and it doesn't take much to have me snivelling, but really, if you're not in the slightest bit moved by the sequence in question, you'd have to be at least three times more cynical than Garfield himself, the King of Sardonic (and even he gets dewy-eyed at one point in this special).

On the lighter side, 'Here Comes Garfield' is also packed with many an amusing moment, continuing the tradition laid out by 'Lady and the Tramp' to have impounded animals spouting prison clichés (and each one of them has an amusing story to tell about how they came to be in the pound – me, I like Rocky's myself). Top it all off with Lorenzo Music's magnificent voice-work, in what would later immortalise him as our leading cat's vocals, and the usual selection of catchy easy-listening tunes, and you have compulsory viewing for every Garfield fan. A bit simplistic, perhaps, but then we all need a bit of light-hearted entertainment every now and then to keep those inner kids of ours happy.

Grade: A-

Cute and sad

[CrunchyCookie · 8/10 · 24 June 2004]

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.

Garfield arrives

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 21 January 2019]

Have always had a big soft spot for Garfield as both a child and as a 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 endearing character and his specials and 'Garfield and Friends' are every bit as good, and perhaps even better, now. 'The Garfield Show' and especially the 2004 live action film, not so much.

When it comes to the Garfield specials, 'A Garfield Christmas Special' and 'Garfield in Disguise' are my personal favourites when the character was more settled. For the special that introduces everybody's favourite orange cat, 'Here Comes Garfield' is a great start. While not as hilarious or as imaginative as 'Garfield in Disguise' or as poignant or charming as 'A Garfield Christmas Special', 'Here Comes Garfield' is definitely a must watch and important for Garfield's development. It doesn't really have an awful lot wrong, just that the specials that followed had a little more to them.

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. 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 doesn't get schmaltzy, underneath all the fun there is also a big warm heart. Also constant is the charm and the cuteness doesn't get excessive. The story is slight but not simplistic and it doesn't try to do too much and it becomes cluttered and muddled, 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.

Concluding, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Great story about friendship.

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 10/10 · 6 July 2004]

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.

The Cartoon of my childhood

[givmigminskotilbage · 10/10 · 21 October 2006]

This is of my best memories from my childhood.

Garfield cartoons, and especially this first one. The animation was quite good. The motion and backgrounds was good. Plus those people that made all these early Garfield-cartoons, where made by Phil Roman, they later Animated "The Simpsons".

In this fabulous cartoon, we start of with Garfields usual ego, he is mean to Odie, and eats a lot of Lasagne.

But then Odie gets caught, and Gafield has to save him.

At the first look-on the story is very base, but when you watched it as a kid, it gets very catchy. It also helps that Lorenzo Music (R.I.P.) does a very good job as Garfield, and also the guy who narrated Jon (who only did it in the first cartoon). But then the excellent score kicks in, making the whole story very compelling. Garfield tries to rescue Odie, but gets imprisoned in the process. In the impound, the pets have to get sold, or else they get executed. Then the most sad thing happens, Odie gets taken away to get executed. And then the music sets in (a song named "Goodby my friend"), a very sad song, when Garfield and Odie gets pulled apart. It was very sad back then, and even more sad now, 18 years later. I almost cried, when i saw that scene again. But it is a cartoon, of course it all ends well, of course Odie survives, who else should Garfield be mean to?

Garfield gets out, and organises the rest of the imprisoned pets to rally to his cause, and riot against their captures. Garfield finally frees Odie, and all is well.

I love this cartoon, so help me God.

Garfield's debut in animation.

[emasterslake · 7/10 · 21 October 2006]

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.

Gut Wrenchingly Sad

[Mark_Graisons_Moustache · 10/10 · 23 January 2009]

"Here Comes Garfield" may only be a 24 minute short with fairly crude animation, and some of the plot contrivances are silly, but I can say without a doubt that it is among the most heartbreakingly sad movies I have ever seen in my life.

If you've seen this, you know what I'm talking about. The first time I watched this, when it came to the near ending when Garfield is reminiscing about his good times with Odie while the song "So Long, Old Friend" plays, I cried harder than I've ever cried in my life.

In this movie, Garfield learns what it means to have a true friend, even if you don't always treat those friends as well as you should.

Yes, the movie has a happy ending, but somehow it doesn't take away from the pain of those few minutes. I can say without doubt that "So Long, Old Friend" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life, and the fact that it's not famous baffles me.

In case you can't tell, this is a positive review. Any "Garfield" fan needs this in their collection, but make sure to have the tissues ready when you get to that one scene.

The Famed Orange Cat's Debut in Animation

[elicopperman · 7/10 · 24 February 2019]

Chances are that at least once throughout your life, you've read a Garfield comic, watched one of the specials, or even some of the tv show adaptations. You can say what you want about how popular Jim Davis' big orange cat is, but you can't deny how much his fame made an impact in both comics and television animation. Well, if we're to go back to his roots in animation, then why not check out the special that started it all, Here Comes Garfield. Released in 1982, the special proved to be such a hit that more specials and the beloved Garfield & Friends would come out later on. But how does this one age?

The general storyline revolves around Garfield and Odie's mischief getting to the point of Odie being sent to the pound, leaving Garfield to save his friend. Yeah, the storyline is really basic, especially when most of the humor is taken directly from certain comic strips. However, what makes this special work well is the genuine heart. Garfield may mess with Odie a lot, but it is made clear how much he cares for him as a friend. He may go through the same routine of playing and eating as much food as possible, but without a friend, he becomes quite lonely. Add in a very emotional tearjerker of a song "So Long Old Friend" and you've got the heartfelt relationship that made Garfield and Odie so lovable.

So as simple as the special is, in addition to the low budget animation mind you, Here Comes Garfield still succeeds in representing the charm and even heart of Garfield that has been lost for so long. Many incarnations of the cat have come and gone, but not many of them have quite the amount of sweetness that this adaptation offers. In a way, it's possibly one of the most faithful out of all the Garfield franchise in terms of respecting the source material. I think it's safe to safe to say that Garfield won the attention of others out of his cynical albeit soft and charismatic charm more than any other comic cat ever could have, and this special understood that dearly.

Saddest thing I've ever seen

[cwschaefer73 · 8/10 · 26 October 2019]

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

A Mediocre Garfield 30 Minute cartoon with exceptional music talent..

[LilVixen · 6/10 · 14 November 1998]

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.

How can you not love him!

[Horst_In_Translation · 8/10 · 3 September 2017]

"Here Comes Garfield" is an American 24-minute short film from 1982, so it has its 35th anniversary already this year. The name in the title already tells you who this is all about, but you should also know when seeing the names of director Phil Roman and writer Jim Davis as both worked on many other Garfield cartoons too. And then there is of course Lorenzo Music, who voices the title character in all these films and who is really an example of perfect casting and who elevates the material by so so much. Not that the material is any bad at all, on the contrary actually. The way the music is used here for example is pretty good and it made for one of the emotional highlights in the fantasy sequences at the pound. Actually, these scenes at the pound are maybe the main reason why I give this little movie such a high rating. It is not just genuinely funny on many occasions like the very ending about dignity, but it also offers depth and it's sad knowing what will happen to those animals who don't get taken. This one is all about the friendship between Garfield and Odie. I would not even say it's a love-hate relationships like in the comic books, but it's a genuine friendship really and there is one moment that is especially sweet, namely when we see Garfield caressing his buddy who doesn't even realize how hopeless his situation may be. There is no focus here really on Jon, even if he has some screen time at the beginning and end too, this one's all about the animals. It is actually a pretty simple story, but that's not a problem because of the runtime at all and because of the strong execution that allowed the film to deliver in terms of both drama and comedy. Comedy is probably more dominant, but nonetheless it was both funny and touching on several occasions. This was actually the beginning to a long-running series of Garfield cartoons, all between 20-30 minutes and all starring Music, who died way too early. This one here may be pretty different at times compared to the books, but on other occasions like the egg scene at the very end it feels fairly similar. I love both, but for different reasons. This film here was nominated for two Emmys and this may have been one reason why they did not stop with the character right away. Luckily for us as Garfield is just so memorable and entertaining, even if I may be a bit biased as I read the books at a pretty young age already. The Golden Age of Animation (Disney and WB cartoons) may have been long over by the early 1980s, but if this one here is what we get instead, then I am all for it and I cannot wait to check out the other films. Here comes Garfield and how he comes! I highly recommend the watch.

I don't love it like I used to, but it still holds up

[gizmomogwai · 8/10 · 19 January 2009]

As a kid I used to be a huge fan of the Garfield comic strips. My grandmother was also a fan and had books 1-12 and and 14, and eventually gave them to me after I had developed an interest in them. I collected the first 40 books, but eventually I stopped buying them and stopped asking for them as gifts. As I matured, The Far Side seemed more and more like the comic for me; but I still respected Garfield. Later, I discovered truly great comedy in the TV show Arrested Development, and also rediscovered the brilliance of The Simpsons, so my remaining interest in Garfield was lost. Then I got a Garfield DVD, including this TV special Here Comes Garfield, for Christmas. I wasn't thrilled, particularly when I watched it the first time.

But on the second time it was better. The laughs aren't major here, but there is some. I guess Garfield is in a way comparable to The Simpsons because of its paradox- the Simpson family members love each other very much but at the same time can't stand each other, demonstrating that love and like are two different things and it's possible to love but not to like. The cat Garfield similarly at times dislikes the dog he lives with, Odie, and his owner Jon, but secretly he loves them. The Simpsons captures the paradox better, but Garfield is still the quintessential loner; gluttonous, angry and rough (he throws a clock at a bird in the beginning), vain and smug, intolerant of the less intelligent. His cynicism makes him attractive because he doesn't conform to how some people might want a more positive hero and more sweetness. Yet at the same time, he has some self-loathing and a desire for community.

Here Comes Garfield uses some of the classic jokes of the comic strip, something which the movie didn't do and which fans of the comic strip should appreciate. The TV special is also less juvenile than the movie. In sending Garfield and Odie to a pound where Odie is scheduled to be put down, the TV special is more serious in tone and that's good because it reflects the seriousness of life. This special shows Garfield at its best- which may fall short of the greatest works of animation, in The Simpsons, Futurama, Mission Hill, Rocky and Bullwinkle and Pinky and the Brain- but it's still good enough to take notice. Nominated for the Emmy for outstanding animated program.

A friend in need

[safenoe · 9/10 · 23 May 2022]

I remember watching this in the 80s and I cried because of Odie's impending execution at the animal pound. Thankfully Garfield saves Odie and their friendship and this restores your faith in Garfield.

Bill Murray would be proud.