Garfield: His 9 Lives (1988 TV Movie) User Reviews

The nine lives of Garfield

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 6 February 2019]

Have always remembered Garfield with fondness. He has always struck me as very funny and endearing, one of the funniest animated characters ever when it comes to asides, and his specials and 'Garfield and Friends' hold up very well today (less so 'The Garfield Show' and the first live action film, the second was an improvement while still having its issues). Even better perhaps throughout adult eyes, and this is coming from somebody who is something of a child at heart but has become harder to please overtime.

'Garfield His Nine Lives' stands out among the other Garfield specials and in terms of structure and tone, as well as seeing a different Garfield, it is a contender for the most unique. It is not among my favourites of his specials, not in the same way that 'Garfield in Disguise' and especially 'A Garfield Christmas Special' are. It is still great though, with next to nothing to dislike about it, and those who love the book it's based upon will love it as the special does it justice. 'Garfield His Nine Lives' is an example of being different but in a good way, not in a way that disgraces the character.

The animation occasionally could have been smoother, but most of it sees some lovely detail and colour that was the right mix of vibrant and atmospheric. It was very interesting to see Garfield in these different varied settings for the stories, and some very imaginative moments are boasted here. The music always fits and never less than pleasant and infectious.

All nine stories featured entertain and charm with a wide range of emotions and tones not usually seen in Garfield specials, some parts are unusually twisted but not in a way that to me comes over as too scary. Again the entertainment value is constant, with some smart wry humour while there is also an emotional core that doesn't come over as too sentimental.

Funny and loveable as ever, Garfield does not disappoint and peerlessly voiced by Lorenzo Music who hasn't been bettered or equalled as the character since. Odie continues to be adorable and the chemistry between the two delights. The supporting characters are fun. Have no issues with the voice work either.

Overall, different but great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Great show, book was good, too

[paul51 · 8/10 · 9 February 2005]

The book that this animated special was based on came out in...84 or 85. Reading it was a BIG surprise for me, although a lot of it is the same artistic and writing style as the comic, it contains some stories and art that are decidedly NOT the usual Garfield thing, including some rather twisted segments. Only one of those really oddball segments made the TV special (the part where he's a laboratory cat, escapes the military facility, and changes into a dog before the guard dogs can catch him). One of the other segments from the book that does not appear in the show is called Babes and Bullets, which was of course later made as its own stand-alone (slightly rewritten) Garfield special. The show did include at least one segment that was not in the book (Diana's Piano).

If you ever come across the book, give it a read, but don't expect the entire thing to be typical Garfield. The part called "Primal Urges" contains some very...disjointed art, a la a comic book graphic novel (not the same style, but just as freaky as, say, Batman - The Arkham Asylum).

Garfield lives on.

[emasterslake · 8/10 · 30 October 2006]

This Garfield TV movie is pretty much the most unique of it's kind.

The story begins when the Creator(who portrays as God) creates a cat also known as Garfield. And gives him 9 lives to create an interesting story.

Then we get to see Garfield intro each of his 9 lives. Each one is different from another. A lot of them were done in different animation to give it a different taste.

Pretty much Life #8 is similar to the common Garfield cartoons.

I consider this one a Garfield of a different color.

The idea of 9 different stories in one TV movie is really cool in my opinion. A must see for the Garfield fans.

superb

[Eviey · 10/10 · 8 December 2001]

This is the best cartoon movie ever in my humble opinion. A must see. My favorite parts would be..... all of it. It's a simple wonderful movie that I have enjoyed since I was young and I still do enjoy it. I don't really like Garfield that much but I love this movie.

Must See For Garfield Fans

[InsideTheCastleWall · 10/10 · 4 August 2007]

"Garfield His 9 Lives" is divided into nine animated stories all centered around Garfield in different eras of time from prehistoric to futuristic space. In some stories Garfield takes on a new look. You will probably have your favorite story as some are more involved than others.

Life #6 - Diana's Piano, is most unlike any of the other Garfield tales. It captures a long term relationship between a beloved feline and her owner. I couldn't help but wonder if this one was based on a true story.

Dog lovers beware as this movie as a whole does show some cat bias. But if you've got a good sense of humor to get you through there's some justice at the end of King Cat ;)

People of all ages would enjoy this movie. It's intelligent, funny, well written, good soundtrack(see #5 Court Jester if you're into funky jazz), full of colorful fun animation(see the shape-shifting in #7 Lab Animal).

I must not forget to add that #8 includes Garfield as a kitten with his mother, how Garfield came to love Italian cuisine, and how he met Jon and Odie. Simply a must see for any Garfield fan.

Parents can watch it with their children. It's sure to get kids thinking and asking questions. Or if you're like me you may just enjoy watching it for old times sake. This was one of my favorite movies when I was 6. The images and stories have always stuck with me. Unforgettable.

Here's the titles of the stories as they appear.

#1 Cave Cat, #2 King Cat, #3 In The Garden, #4 Court Musician, #5 Stunt Cat, #6 Diana's Piano, #7 Lab Animal, #8 Garfield, #9 Space Cat.

Ignore Stickman.

[eaglei-ok · 10/10 · 7 January 2007]

Ignore Stickman. Read this book. This is a great book with great stories and a great character. Definitely an instant classic. I mean no offense to anyone or anything, but if you don't like Garfield, WHY ARE YOU POSTING MESSAGES HERE?! Okay, yes I'll admit, it has several curse words, suggestive scenes, and maybe some violence, but you can just skip over those stories. Garfield pretty much sums it up before it even starts, and the title should tell you something. It is hilarious. Read ASAP. Find it on the internet, look for the movie, (even though the book and movie have little in common) and read/watch it to no end. Garfield is one of the greatest cartoon/comic strip characters of all time. Nobody should put him down. Plus, 9 different stories is hard to come up with. Appreciate Jim Davis! Odie rules.

Not just another Garfield Movie

[brailsford · 8/10 · 10 July 2015]

Going in as a kid seeing it was about Garfield I went in assuming it was going to be like the other specials and movies, cynical funny jokes and moderate slapstick usually at Odie's expense. This movie was not like that... think Heavy Metal, but without the straight out adult material.

Life six ranked up there with Plague Dogs in terms of scare factor to 5 year old me. Life 7 still is capable of reducing me to tears and is more disturbing when you consider other factors of the life.

In a lot of ways it was a brilliant special... however its such a step away from the star character that it doesn't feel like it belongs in the Garfield canon.

Also his life from the book version babes and bullets got spun off into its own movie so in the animated version Garfield technically must have 10 lives.

Anyway if your in the mood for one of those specials from the 80s that feels magical but yet uncomfortable in a weird way this will give you some of that feel but not nearly as overwhelming as some things out of this time period for that.

Unforgettable

[Nellakitkat · 7/10 · 18 October 2006]

OK, I have not read the book in completion but the made for TV special Garfield: His 9 Lives has affected me nonetheless. I was 5 when it came out and I'l tell you, the life where Garfield is a cat being animal tested on and turns into a dog has forever horrified me!To this day (though I love all animals!) I am a completely devoted cat person and I am against animal testing! There is slave labor in the world so why can't we test products on humans? Regardless, this cartoon holds an ethereal connection to my childhood and the naivete that childhood entails. I love when Garfield is the wide eyed kitten in that bubbly candyland-like world, but where he is Diana, the white fluffy piano cat, also touches me. True to the book or not, I was young enough to still be enamored with this cartoon.

Creepy

[edgrau · 3/10 · 11 May 2013]

I thought it would be a cute Garfield flashback from the 80s. 2 segments are not animated in the same genre as Garfield. One is OK where Garfield is a female cat who lives its life with a piano playing girl. The cat later grows old and dies which was a bit heavy for the kids but fine. The 7th life "Garfield" is Creepy. He a lab cat but the animation is more like a moonlighting Disney animator (per Jungle Book features) and the story is dark. The non-Garfield is in a military lab being injected with serum that genetically alters him into a dog. He later escapes and is chased by the military. Creepy lab scenes for kids.