The title of “The Garfield Movie” is as unassuming as the movie itself.

That’s not to say that “The Garfield Movie” isn’t enjoyable. It is.

The movie is as humorous as its title character, Garfield, a laid-back orange tabby cat.

“The Garfield Movie” is based on the newspaper comic strip, “Garfield,” by Jim Davis. The comic strip, first published in 1978, has been in syndication ever since.

“The Garfield Movie” isn’t the first feature movie based on the comic strip.

A live-action and computer-animated film, “Garfield: The Movie,” was released in movie theaters in 2004. A sequel, “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties,” was released in 2006. Bill Murray voiced Garfield in each movie. Talk about type-casting.

Also, based on “Garfield”: television series on CBS, The Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, primetime TV specials, a stage musical, books and video games.

In “The Garfield Movie,” Garfield is voiced by Chris Pratt.

Garfield’s owner, Jon, is voiced by Nicholas Hoult.

Garfield’s best friend, Odie, a beagle, is voiced by Harvey Guillén.

Garfield’s dad, Vic, is voiced by Samuel L. Jackson.

In the movie’s plot, Vic shows up and drags Garfield into a scheme to steal milk from Lactose Farms.

The mascot of the farm is a bull, Otto, voiced by Ving Rhames.

Vic is double-crossed in the caper by Jinx, a Persian cat, voiced by Hannah Waddingham. She betrays Garfield and Odie to Marge, the animal control officer, voiced by Cecily Strong.

“The Garfield Movie” is directed by Mark Dindal (director, “Chicken Little,” 2005; “The Emperor’s New Groove,” 2000; “Cats Don’t Dance,” 1997).

The screenplay is by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove (screenwriters, “The Late Bloomer,” 2016; TV’s “George Lopez,” 2003-2007; TV‘s “Spin City,” 2000-2002) and David Reynolds (screenplay, “Finding Nemo,” 2003) based on characters created by Jim Davis.

The Computer Generated Animation has a traditional, almost old-fashioned, look in its background scenes. The characters are more contemporary, with exaggerated body physiques and huge eyes.

There are some clever dialogue scenes, and lots of action scenes, including a cheese factory conveyor belt chase and a chase atop a train.

The best part of the storyline pertains to the origin story of Garfield, who is depicted as a stray, and how he “adopted” Jon.

The voice characterizations are excellent.

Chris Pratt conveys Garfield’s laconic sensibility and adds a mix of astonishment and bemusement.

Samuel L. Jackson is instantly recognizable in voice as Vic, Garfield’s dad, while also creating a distinctive character.

The music by John Debney (Oscar nominee, original score, “The Passion of the Christ,” 2005) amplifies the emotional moments.

“The Garfield Movie” is amusing and fun. It’s not unlike watching cat videos, which Garfield does during the movie.

“The Garfield Movie” can be enjoyed by parents and children, fans of the comic strip and all things Garfield, and by cat fanciers.

“The Garfield Movie,”

MPAA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested .Some material may not be suitable for children.) for action, peril and mild thematic elements; Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Animation; Run time: 1 hour, 41 minutes. Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“The Garfield Movie” soundtrack includes “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin, “Good Life” by Jon Batiste, “Let It Roll” by Keith Urban and Snoop Dog, “I’m Back” by Hannah Waddingham, and “Lactose Farms Jingle” by Chris Pratt.

“Garfield” style comic strip panels are shown as are additional cat videos during the closing credits..

At the very end, there are three panels of the “Garfield” comic. Garfield asks the viewers, “Why are you still here?” He answers, “You are waiting for the sequel.”

At The Movies:

“The Garfield Movie” was seen in The Real D 3D format at AMC Center Valley 16. There wasn’t much that was particularly real or 3D at the screening. I thought it was because I was sitting too close to the screen. I was in Row G center. A woman, sitting in an upper row experienced the viewing quality problem, too, describing it as a “ghost effect.” An AMC employee said he would have it looked into. The movie would be fine to see in the standard format.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office,

June 14-16: That old-time summer movie season feeling is back with “Inside Out 2,” the 2015 Pixar hit sequel in which Riley goes head-first into teen-age angst, opening with $155 million in 4,440 theaters.

It’s the biggest opening for 2024, eclipsing “Dune: Part Two,” $82.5 million, and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $80 million. It’s the first movie to open above $100 million since July 2024’s “Barbie,” $162 million. It’s the second biggest opening ever for an animated film, behind “Incredibles 2,” $182 million, in 2018.

2. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” dropped one place from its one-week at No. 1, with a strong $33 million in 3,885 theaters, $112.2 million, two weeks. 3. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” moved up two places, $5.2 million in 2,600 theaters, $157.8 million, six weeks. 4. “The Garfield Movie” dropped two places, $5 million in 3,411 theaters, $78.5 million, four weeks. 5. “The Watchers” dropped one place, $3.6 million in 3,351 theaters, $13.6 million, two weeks. 6. “IF” dropped three places, $3.4 million in 3,006 theaters, $100.9 million, five weeks. 7. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” dropped one place, $2.4 million in 1,874 theaters, $63.1 million, four weeks. 8. “The Fall Guy” dropped one place, $1.5 million in 1,663 theaters; $87.9 million, seven weeks. 9. “The Strangers: Chapter 1” moved up one place, $760,000 in 1,027 theaters, $33.8 million, five weeks. 10. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” 2024 re-release, dropped two places, $632,910 in 1,035 theaters, $3 million, two weeks. 11. “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” 2024 re-release, dropped two places, $490,132 in 1,035 theaters, $2.3 million, two weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of June 16 is subject to change.

Unreel,

June 21:

“The Bikeriders,”

R: Jeff Nichols directs Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon in the Crime, Drama. A woman is attracted to the leader of a violent motorcycle gang. The movie is said to be based on true events.

“The Exorcism,”

R: Joshua John Miller, a son of the late actor-playwright Jason Miller (Father Karras, “The Exorcist,” 1973), directs Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey David Hyde Pierce in the Horror, Thriller. An actor begins to act strangely during the making of a horror film.

“Thelma,”

PG-13: Josh Margolin directs June Squibb, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey in the Action, Comedy. An elderly woman who is the victim of a phone scam seeks to recoup her loss.

Movie opening dates from Internet Database as of June 16 are subject to change.

Two Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes