Chris Pratt is the newest voice of the titular orange cat in 2024’sThe Garfield Movie, and here is how Pratt’s voice compares to Bill Murray’s Garfield performance from the 2004 film. Garfield is one of the most iconic characters in cartoon history, withGarfield appearing in all kinds of movies, TV shows, television specials, and more since his comic strip debut. Bill Murray famously voices the orange cat in 2004’sGarfield: The Movieas well as its sequelGarfield: A Tale of Two Kitties, but Chris Pratt’sThe Garfield Movieperformance goes in an entirely different direction.
The character of Garfield may have started out in comic strips, but almost every fan of the character knows exactly how the cat is supposed to sound. Voice actor Lorenzo Music was theoriginal voice of Garfield, with him voicing the cat is the vast majority of his appearances throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Although Music sadly passed away in 2001,his Garfield voice has become a staple of the character, with him perfectly capturing the cat’s lazy personality and monotone delivery. Both Bill Murray and Chris Pratt have attempted to recapture this tone, and here’s how they did.
Chris Pratt’s Garfield Voice Doesn’t Change From His Regular Speaking Tone
It Is Reminiscent Of Emmet & Mario
Upon the announcement that Chris Pratt would be voicing Garfield inThe Garfield Movie, many fans of the actor wondered what his take on the character would be like. Pratt’s most prominent voice acting roles from his past, those beingEmmet fromThe LEGO Moviefilms and Mario fromThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, both used his regular speaking tone, with him not really attempting to do a unique voice. While Garfield’s voice is iconic, the same can be said for Mario, and this didn’t stop Pratt from using his natural tone when bringing the character to life.
The Garfield Movie Ending Explained
The Garfield Movie establishes a new origin story for the cat with new friends and family and an ending that leaves the doors open for a sequel.
Thus,Chris Pratt uses his normal voice inThe Garfield Movie, with him not attempting to try anything new. While Pratt is definitely acting inThe Garfield Movie, with him giving a performance that sells the comedic and dramatic beats, it is impossible not to hear Pratt throughout the film. Chris Pratt doesn’t make that many changes when voicing Garfield, with this being one of the most divisive parts of 2024’sThe Garfield Movie.
Bill Murray’s Garfield Voice Is More Similar To The Original Cartoon’s Actor
It Matches Lorenzo Music’s Voice
Although other voice actors have taken on the role of Garfield between the two actors, Bill Murray is the most notable actor to have voiced him before Chris Pratt. Murray took on the role of Garfield in two live-actionGarfieldmovies from the 2000s, with the orange cat being a CGI character in these films. Although Bill Murray is mostly using his regular speaking tone as well, his natural voice fits Garfield incredibly well. WhileMurray famously regrets hisGarfieldcasting, he was a near-perfect choice, with him being one of the celebrities who most sounds like the character.
Bill Murray being well suited for the role of Garfield is mostly thanks toGarfield’s original voice actor, Lorenzo Music. The voice that Music does in theGarfieldanimated cartoons just so happens to be incredibly similar to Bill Murray’s natural voice, which is why the comedian works so well as the character in the 2000s movies. So, while Bill Murray may not be giving the performance of a lifetime inGarfield: The MovieandGarfield: A Tale of Two Kitties, his voice fits the character incredibly well.
Which Actor’s Garfield Voice Is More Fitting Of The Iconic Cartoon Cat
Bill Murray’s Voice Is Much Better
Although both actors do a good job,Bill Murray’s take on Garfieldis definitely more fitting of the iconic cartoon cat. Throughout Bill Murray’s filmography, the actor is often seen portraying sarcastic, lazy, and monotone characters, with these three traits perfectly summing up the character of Garfield. Because of this, Murray naturally fits the character, with him being one of the few actors who could have successfully taken on the role without seriously altering his voice.
The Garfield Movie Is A Near Perfect Comic Adaptation (& That’s Why Its Rotten Tomatoes Score Is So Low)
Jim Davis' beloved comics have again been adapted to the big screen, and though critics on Rotten Tomatoes aren’t impressed, the film did its job.
Chris Pratt, on the other hand, isn’t known for these traits. Instead, Pratt is known for being youthful, wide-eyed, and energetic, all things that completely contradict the character of Garfield.Pratt hasn’t played a character like Garfield before, and while that isn’t inherently a bad thing, it does make selling his natural voice like that of Garfield’s much more difficult. Audience expectations go a long way when attempting to cast a new actor as an iconic character, and Chris Pratt’s role inThe Garfield Moviedidn’t do the best job at meeting these expectations.
The Garfield Movie
Cast
The Garfield Movie, released in 2024, follows Garfield, the lasagna-loving cat, as he embarks on an outdoor adventure with his canine companion Odie. The journey begins when Garfield is unexpectedly reunited with his long-lost father, Vic, leading them to join a comedic, high-stakes heist.
