Entertainment

The Garfield Movie: Enjoyable, refreshing take

Unpredictable rollercoaster, hardly any dull moments

Published

May 27, 2024

I watched the advanced screening of The Garfield Movie armed with a wealth of knowledge about favorite fat cat. I’ve seen both of the live-action versions in the 2000s where Garfield was voiced by Bill Murray. I’ve also enjoyed Garfield comics regularly growing up.

Those who’ve come to be a fan of Garfield knows him and his life very well. He hates Mondays, loves lasagna, and blurts out sarcastic lines in thought bubbles which his owner Jon doesn’t really hear anyway. That’s his character that has defined newspapers and digital spaces for over half a century.

I wanted to wait until the end of the film to make my judgement, knowing that it’s a new take. I was right. Here are a few thoughts:

Puts Garfield at the forefront

This version puts the orange cat at the center of it all. That’s unlike the two live-action movies I mentioned. There’s less screen time for Jon (since the movie doesn’t revolve around him), and in the parts he’s involved, it’s comedic enough. I felt the second live-action (Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties) particularly, Jon’s wedding plans with Liz gets in the way of the main storyline.

In contrast, this film is mainly about Garfield. Sure, there’s his dad Vic, but we all know that. I’m also glad we didn’t get just a cliché father-and-son narrative. In the end, it was a fun adventure that focused on what Garfield can bring to the big screen.

Expansion of what we know

The first 10 minutes or so of The Garfield Movie introduces the titular character as the one we know in the comics. The typical elements like pizza, lasagna, spiders, watching TV, and refrigerator runs were packaged in a superficial manner.

Then, it expands on what we’ve already seen in the trailer where he was “abandoned” by his father Vic. Or so that’s what Garfield thought. We’ll get to more of that in a few.

Rollercoaster ride

The main storyline is then introduced when Garfield and Odie are kidnapped by Jinx’s assistants. Apparently, Vic owes Jinx a debt and the main antagonist decides to serve revenge by pitting Vic (and Garfield and Odie) against the ropes.

Believing that doing Jinx a favor will make them even, Vic takes Garfield and Odie to Lactose Farms, where they need to steal thousands of bottles of milk as repayment for Jinx. There, they encounter Otto, a bull who served as the former mascot of Lactose Farms before a change in ownership forced him out of the facility.

Realizing that his love interest, a cow named Ethel is still inside Lactose Farms, Otto decides to help the trio so they can all accomplish their goals. However, Jinx double-crosses Vic and informs the business’ security beforehand that a heist is about to happen.

This is one of the first twists in the movie. I personally enjoyed that it was made unpredictable so viewers are kept glued to what’s about to happen next. I also love how characters just kept being revealed, giving viewers an idea as to how big the story actually is. Moreover, Otto’s substoryline was aptly laced onto the main plot.

Entertaining, refreshing

In between these parts, Garfield showed how indifferent he was at first to Vic. We all know he believed is father left him for good when he was a kitten. But eventually, the truth is revealed, and Garfield warms up to his dad.

Back to the planned heist, Garfield’s crew fails to follow Otto’s original plan to free Ethel. This is as they got trapped in the facility’s cheese room. After the set-up by Jinx, Vic is forced to “leave” Garfield and Odie again to escape. Jon’s pets, meanwhile, were apprehended and ended up in the city pound.

While incarcerated at the pound, Garfield realizes how Vic had been watching him grow up from a distance. He also realizes Vic was saving them by stealing the milk truck so Jon could pick them up. As everything becomes clear to him, he decides once and for all to help his dad.

At the original place where they were kidnapped, Garfield discovers Jinx’s evil plan to dump Vic under the bridge from a speeding train. He uses the help of several hundreds of drone deliveries of pizza, meatballs, salad, and more, battling Jinx and her assistants to free Vic and save the day. In the end, they triumph, and Vic is welcomed to Jon’s place to have dinner regularly.

Enjoyable

The entire journey from Lactose Farms to Garfield’s team’s impromptu training with Otto to the heist attempt and his reconciliation with his father was consistently entertaining. Aside from the story being unpredictable, the makers inserted a lot of Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes-like slapstick humor to draw regular giggles.

We all didn’t know what was going to happen until it unfolded, and that’s an applaudable mark of keeping the audience hooked. It was an enjoyable story that’s cartoonish enough but not too exaggerated nor out of this world. I felt the film’s length was also just right.

Final thoughts

I get why some Garfield fans are upset as to why the film didn’t reflect the comics as accurately as possible. But for what it’s worth, the makers behind this movie promoted it with the heist as the key idea. But fine. If you want to call it “A movie starring Garfield” instead of “The Garfield Movie,” go ahead.

I’ll be upfront: It’s still a good, entertaining, and refreshing take on our favorite cartoon cat. It actually feels great to come across a lot of new characters and elements in this movie we haven’t seen in the comics. And even then, towards the end of the film, Garfield saves Vic doing with something he knows best: food. In a way, that’s sticking to the core.

Sure, there a things that could have been portrayed more obviously. For example, Garfield being superior to Odie or him gobbling up all the cheese in the world at Lactose Farms. But in the end, that hardly matters.

This is a one-off film meant for younger audiences. And the makers managed to stitch together a cool story that takes them on an enjoyable rollercoaster ride with hardly any dull moments. So yes, for all the “Garfield shouldn’t be that energetic or going on an action-packed adventure” and whatever an actual orange tabby should be doing in real life, it’s also good to leave that and suspend disbelief every once in a while.

Because if we wanted to stick to the grumpy, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving narrative, then let’s just stick to reality. That’s already how we feel on a daily basis especially as adults, right?

The Garfield Movie hits Philippine theaters starting May 29, 2024.

Related Topics:Chris Pratt Columbia Pictures Garfield Samuel L. Jackson The Garfield Movie

Entertainment

Samurai Champloo is getting a live-action adaptation

The adaptation is coming from One Piece’s Tomorrow Studios.

Published

March 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The live-action One Piece, which recently premiered its second season on Netflix, is one of the rare wins for the anime adaptation segment, especially after a string of misfires. Now, after the success of that series, things are getting bolder. Tomorrow Studios, which produced Netflix’s One Piece, will adapt Samurai Champloo into a live-action format.

Still from the brilliant mind of Shinichirō Watanabe, Samurai Champloo is often touted as the samurai version of Watanabe’s more popular Cowboy Bebop but with a more cohesive story and a hipper soundtrack. Since its first airing over two decades ago, the series has enjoyed a cult following, especially for those who enjoyed Cowboy Bebop.

First reported by Variety, Tomorrow Studios will adapt the show into a live-action series. Critically, Watanabe will be involved in the show’s production.

Because the show is still in early development, there’s no news beyond that. In fact, though it’s likely that Netflix will pick the series up, Tomorrow Studios hasn’t shopped the series to platforms yet.

Samurai Champloo is going to be a huge gamble for the studio. Previously, Tomorrow Studios crashed and burned with its Cowboy Bebop adaptation, which ended up getting canned soon after its premiere. Watanabe even criticized the series for changing the plot too much.

This time, however, Watanabe has given his blessing and will likely steer the adaptation to success. The studio has also promised an adaptation more faithful to the original’s story and soundtrack. Both of which were crucial to the original show’s success.

Entertainment

ARTMS Heejin shows KPop concert day through Ray-Ban Meta glasses

Heejin films concert POV

Published

March 11, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

What does a KPop concert look like from the idol’s perspective? Heejin of ARTMS gives fans exactly that.

In a short Instagram Reel filmed using Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, the ARTMS member records an entire concert day from her point of view — from backstage moments to standing on stage in front of hundreds of fans.

The clip begins with Heejin showing off the Ray-Ban Meta glasses before putting them on. She then continues vlogging on her phone while already wearing the smart glasses, casually demonstrating how the wearable camera fits into her usual routine.

From there, the Reel jumps through several moments leading up to the show. We see Heejin signing what appear to be albums for the concert, followed by a quick meal before rehearsals begin.

At one point, she even chats with staff members who seem curious about the Ray-Ban Meta glasses she’s wearing.

Then the highlight arrives.

The perspective suddenly shifts to the stage.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HEEJIN (@0ct0ber19)

From Heejin’s POV, the crowd stretches across the venue while she performs alongside her fellow ARTMS members. There’s a quick glimpse of choreography while she’s still wearing the glasses — offering fans a rare look at what performing in front of thousands of people actually feels like.

The Reel winds down with the group bowing to the audience as the concert ends.

Finally, the video returns to the same visual from the opening. Heejin lies down on a bed, mirroring the start of the day — a quiet signal that the long concert schedule has finally wrapped.

There are a few fancams too showing the day Heejin wearing the glasses while performing on stage.

@seoshu heejin with glasses… I NEED HER #artmsinlondon #heejin #artms #grandclubicarus ♬ original sound – vro

@yvessyih i’m a sucker for nerds💔 heejin i love u #heejin #loona #artms #fyp #kpop @Official ARTMS ♬ Drunk in love – Megan ★

From LOONA to ARTMS

For longtime fans, Heejin needs little introduction.

She first debuted in 2016 as the very first member of LOONA, a group known for its ambitious storytelling and global fanbase.

Following LOONA’s restructuring, Heejin went on to become part of ARTMS, a project group that reunites several former members while continuing their creative direction.

Moments like this Reel give fans a small but personal glimpse into that journey — this time through the lens of smart glasses.

What the Ray-Ban Meta glasses actually do

The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are wearable smart glasses created by Meta in collaboration with Ray-Ban.

They feature a built-in ultra-wide camera, microphones, and open-ear speakers that allow users to capture photos and videos completely hands-free.

Because the camera sits directly in the frame, the footage naturally captures a first-person perspective — exactly the kind of viewpoint that makes Heejin’s Reel feel so immersive.

Instead of watching a concert from the audience, viewers briefly experience what it’s like to be the person standing on stage.

A new perspective for fans

POV videos aren’t new online, but using smart glasses to capture a full concert day adds a new layer to behind-the-scenes content.

For a few moments, fans aren’t just watching the performance.

They’re seeing it through the idol’s eyes.

And for longtime fans who first met Heejin during her early days in LOONA, the moment carries a little extra weight.

From debut stages to a new chapter with ARTMS, the view has changed — but the stage is still the same.

Now the real question is: Which idol would you want to see try this next?

Entertainment

Crime on Prime: Streaming platform unveils powerhouse crime, thriller slate

Cross Season 2, 56 Days, Young Sherlock, Scarpetta, more

Published

March 9, 2026

GadgetMatch

Photos courtesy of Prime Video

Prime Video has unveiled “Crime on Prime”, a major programming rollout to kickstart the new year with a powerhouse slate of crime and thriller titles.

The lineup includes high-profile adaptations from bestselling authors James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The season launched with the long-awaited return of the streaming platform’s hit crime thriller, Cross last month.

In its second season, stakes intensify as Cross pursues a ruthless vigilante targeting corrupt billionaire magnates.

A new series, 56 Days, portrays the story of a couple who fall dangerously fast in love, only for a decomposing body to be found 56 days later in one of the protagonist’s apartment.

The series is adapted from Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel of the same title. As its plot unravels, the question “Who killed who?” will be answered.

Meanwhile, Guy Ritchie’s re-imagining of the iconic character in Young Sherlock debuted on March 4. It stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a defiant, youthful Sherlock Holmes on his first case.

Furthermore, launching on March 11 is Liz Sarnoff’s gripping adaptation of the beloved Scarpetta novel series, starring Nicole Kidman as the medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, she is determined to serve as the voice of victims, unmask a serial killer, and prove that her career-making case from 28 years prior isn’t also her undoing.

The lineup also includes a renowned list of local titles for the Filipino audience: