Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
Two more years and "A Garfield Christmas Special" will celebrate its 30th anniversary. I think the big strength of these Garfield half-hour films is the humour. They always manage to give off a cool vibe of not taking themselves too seriously and yet they deliver a message or contents that are very fitting for the occasions. This little movie here is maybe the perfect example of it and it is possibly also the most famous Garfield short film. I wouldn't say it's the best, but it's still very good. The music does not only include the singing from the characters, but there is always also a catchy little tune in the background that is one of the famous Christmas songs. And the heart in here is for example when Garfields finds a special present for Jon's grandmother. He and Odie spend the holidays with Jon and his family. Jon's father is very funny in here. He always seems like he cannot be arsed to do something and then still does it with the boys somehow making fun of him in a playful manner, for example when he reads the story to them. A really entertaining 24 minutes here and Lorenzo Music's (rip) voice is simply perfect for Garfield. Very much recommended.
Shawn Watson
Is it just me or do the Garfield TV specials seem to have a real emotional touch to them that gives the whole series higher integrity than the average children's animation. If only the movie were this good.It's Xmas time once again and Jon takes Garfield and Odie back home to the farm for a good, old-fashioned country Xmas. Originally against the idea, Garfield quickly becomes accustomed when he remembers how much he likes Grandma. John and brother Doc-Boy behave like kids again and can barely contain their excitement at the forthcoming prezzies (who can?) and what on earth is Odie up to in the barn?The Garfield Christmas Special is a warm, sentimental and meaningful cartoon with great songs (once again) and the kind of everlasting charm most would kill for. Highly recommended!
ogami-itto
Garfield, that loveable fat lazy cat. One of my favourite characters from childhood. I used to get Garfield vids from my local rental store and watch them over and over. All of them seemed amazing at the time but the Christmas special was always my favourite. Now, almost twenty years later the cartoon still receives regular plays in my home. The plot is simple Garfield, Odie and Jon spend a family Christmas in the farm home that Jon grew up in. The songs are great, it's funny, sweet and ultimately moving. It manages to avoid the sentimentality that usually crops up in Christmas specials just by having Garfield constantly undercutting the feel-good nature with cynicism. Show this to the children in your life. It really is magical in a way that all the Disney animations could never be - because it has heart.
Guitar-8
When this special first aired on CBS in 1987, the piano scene was edited. I didn't even notice it until I read the book version of that television special.Then years later, the piano scene was added to the special, I laughed my head off!Seeing Grandma playing the piano & singing "O Christmas Tree" in a jazz style, and ending with Boop-Boop-Dee-Boop makes me laugh!And to this day, every time I hear or sing "O Christmas Tree" during the holidays (& even "Maryland My Maryland" during the Preakness Stakes), I always have to say Boop-boop-dee-boop!
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