Garfield Gets a Life

Garfield as Himself gathers three thoroughly delightful Garfield television specials from the early 1980s, based on the pudgy, self-centered feline character and friends from Jim Davis's popular comic strip. The trio of stories, all written by Davis (collaborating in two cases with longtime television comedy writer Lorenzo Music, who also provides Garfield's voice) are simple yet sophisticated, perfect for keeping both kids and adults entertained. Here Comes Garfield finds the lethargic, lasagna-loving hero mounting a rescue of best friend/daily foil Odie the dog after the latter is locked in the pound. In the touching yet sardonic Garfield on the Town, the headstrong cat escapes a trip to the veterinarian and ends up exploring a rough part of town, where he discovers his mother among legions of stray critters. Finally, a very funny Garfield Gets a Life concerns Garfield's efforts to coach hapless owner Jon (actor Sandy Kenyon) toward a love life. --Tom Keogh