After nearly half a century in the funny pages, Garfield remains mostly as Jim Davis first drew him: a lazy tabby with a taste for lasagna, a distaste for Mondays, and a droll ambivalence towards his owner, Jon Arbuckle. But if the cat hasn’t changed, everything around him sure has, and you can see evidence of that all over The Garfield Movie, which begins with the world’s most famous kitty ordering his preferred Italian comfort food via a Grubhub-like smartphone app. Everybody in this caffeinated all-ages cartoon is addicted to their little screens. The forever lovelorn Jon (Nicholas Hoult) considers getting on Bumble. A key plot point revolves around an app that can translate meows into human speech. And even the villain – a persian feline fatale voiced by Hannah Waddingham – records and then immediately plays back her jump-scare entrance on a mobile device. Is this the only way to make Garfield relatable to modern kids and their dutifully accompanying parents: by turning him into a phone junkie?
In another respect, The Garfield Movie goes back to basics. After all, it marks a return to full animation after a pair of dire 2000s comedies that inserted an unsightly CGI cat (voiced by Bill Murray with an amusingly transparent indifference) into live-action surroundings. Garfield looks more like Garfield in this version, thanks to computer animation that better mimics the big-eyed, basic-stroke art work of the comic strip. He’s now voiced by Chris Pratt, who adds another animated avatar of intellectual property to his resume after trips to the Mushroom Kingdom and Bricksburg. There’s a certain upside to this casting: Pratt’s delivery is so generic and indistinct that fans can simply project however they think Garfield should sound over his delivery.
The simplicity of Davis’ writing isn’t as easily translated into feature form. On newsprint, Garfield is a repetitive, quotidian gag machine – a daily comedy built around the cat’s basically static deadpan. The Garfield Movie covers that ground in about five minutes, with a greatest-hits montage of naps, binge eating, and playful rapport with Jon’s speechless beagle Odie (whose barks and whimpers are apparently provided by Harvey Guillén, not that you can ever tell). The meat of the movie is a noisier, busier caper, in which Garfield gets roped into a heist with his estranged father, Vic (fellow Marvel paycheck-casher Samuel L. Jackson), who we first see via an opening flashback almost certainly designed to drum up demand for a saucer-eyed, kitten-Garfield plush toy. It’s a strangely sentimental development: At last, we get to see Garfield the cat overcome his abandonment issues!
Much of the action unfolds at the dairy farm the reunited pair are coerced into robbing by Waddingham’s vengeful, formerly impounded Jinx – a location that millennial Garfieldians might recognize as a nod to the barnyard “and friends” half of his late ’80s/early ’90s Saturday morning sitcom. Here, we’re introduced to a stoic bull (Ving Rhames), depressed after a lifetime of playing corporate mascot. Is this a stealth reference to Garfield’s own decades as a cash cow? It wouldn’t be the only joke aimed at the chaperones in the audience; when Rhames’ bovine character is at last reunited with his cow sweetheart, Marvin Gaye kicks in on the soundtrack while the two get freaky off screen.
Animation veteran Mark Dindal orchestrates the hijinks, and there are a few moments that tease a more unleashed slapstick family film in the vein of his delightfully madcap The Emperor’s New Groove. There’s some fun to be had with the bad guys, including a classic Tex Avery big-and-little duo of henchdogs (one of them voiced by Waddingham’s Ted Lasso costar Brett Goldstein) and a Cecily Strong-voiced security officer plainly, strangely modeled on the “Minnesota nice” of Fargo’s Marge Gunderson. Meanwhile, a sequence in the plant involving cheese-related death traps – including a conveyor built that slowly grates away the platform Garfield is standing on – recalls Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones, of all movies. And Dindal cuts away for a couple of inspired, traditionally animated detours; if you’ve ever wondered what Garfield would look like in the style of Rocky and Bullwinkle, this movie obliges.
Mostly, however, the director seems neutered by the demands of a studio animation project eager to pander to kids and adults alike. The Garfield Movie gets downright Shrekian in its flurry of pop-culture references – another break from the cultural-vacuum quality Davis adopted as a way to make sure his comic strip crossed borders with ease. Was anyone dying to hear Garfield call himself “G-money” or crack jokes about Shark Tank? And what’s with all the Tom Cruise winking, from a direct namedrop to the lazy airing of both the Mission: Impossible and Top Gun scores? Speaking of dopey music cues, The Garfield Movie leans heavily on a single, unremarkable tie-in single by Jon Batiste that it rolls no fewer than three times over a hectic 90 minutes.
Was anyone dying to hear Garfield call himself “G-money” or crack jokes about Shark Tank?
None of this should offend Davis. He’s always been candid, after all, about the cynical motivations behind Garfield, a character he designed to be as marketable and accessible as possible, down to making his most prominent traits – gluttony and laziness – a reflection of universal human needs. The play for lowest-common denominator paid off: His strip is the most widely syndicated in history, and a total merchandise gold mine. In The Garfield Movie, the final stretch slumps shamelessly into a montage of product placement disguised as gags. It’s only then, when singing the praises of Walmart, FedEx, and Olive Garden, that the film taps into the true spirit of its daily source material: a piggy bank in the shape of a grinning house pet.
Welcome to another week of hot deals to keep you warm, indoors, and still rich enough for pizza. Things to note for today include Amazon getting competitive with the preorder price of Assassin's Creed Shadows. I'm also all about hooking up you PC folk with free (with Prime) versions of Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Forgotten City, two titles worthy of any respectable pile o' shame.
In retro news, I'm celebrating the 14th birthday of ModNation Racers, United Front Games' under-loved kart racer classic. I still have very fond memories of sampling the custom tracks built in it by Mr Luke Reilly, as we were both working on the Official PlayStation Magazine at the time. Being the mild bogan that he is, Reilly produced a 1:1 "Baff-erst" with all the eerie meticulousness of Richard Dreyfuss carving a perfect mashed potatoes mountain in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Oh, how we smashed that track in 4P split-screen.
A few days ago, Sony released Ghost of Tsushima on PC. And, this weekend, this game managed to surpass the peak number of concurrent players of God of War, meaning that it’s now the biggest single-player PlayStation release on PC. Here are all the PlayStation games on PC, filtered by the peak number of concurrent … Continue reading Ghost of Tsushima is now the biggest single-player PlayStation release on PC→
Game Science has released an official WeGame Event gameplay trailer for its upcoming third-person action game, Black Myth: WuKong. This short but sweet trailer packs one and a half minutes of brand new gameplay footage from it. Black Myth: WuKong is a third-person game that is based on Journey to the West, and will focus … Continue reading Unreal Engine 5-powered Black Myth: WuKong gets an official WeGame Event trailer→
AFK Journey is a free-to-play fantasy RPG where you take control of various Heroes and their unique abilities to journey across the world of Esperia. This game does utilize the gacha system, akin to Genshin Impact and other beloved free-to-play games. Get a headstart on your adventure by grabbing some helpful codes that will fill up your wallets with in-game diamonds and gold.
Below is a list of all the currently active AFK Journey codes that you can use to get some free rewards to spend in the Guild Store for items such as Invitation Letters or in the Arena.
Active AFK Journey Codes May 2024
Redeem the following AFK Journey codes before they expire! The currency contained within these codes can be valuable to get items such as Invitation Letters, Sigils, and Challenge tickets in the Arena.
LILITH11AFKJ (Invitation Letters x11)
AFKJRUBBERROSS (300 Diamonds, 50k Gold)
AFKJLUDWIG (300 Diamonds, 50k Gold)
AFKJLILYPICHU (300 Diamonds, 50k Gold)
AFKJBARRY (100 Diamonds, 20k Gold)
AFKJVOLKIN (100 Diamonds, 20k Gold)
AFKJMTASHED (100 Diamonds, 20k Gold)
AFKJZEEEBO (100 Diamonds, 20k Gold)
AFKJCREATIONFEST (200 Diamonds, 50k Gold)
AFKJUPDATE (100 Diamonds, 20k Gold)
How to Redeem AFK Journey Codes
Once you open the AFK Journey start screen, head over to the Settings cog wheel.
Select the Others tab.
Select the Redeem Code and enter the code.Once you finish writing it, click the checkmark button for your rewards.
Annette is a freelance writer at IGN and has contributed to a number of guides including Stellar Blade, Starfield, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Cookie Run: Kingdom is one to pull you in with its delectable castles and various landscapes made out of candy and all sugary wonders. What’s more irresistible, though, is the periodic Cookie Run: Kingdom codes that will award valuable items, such as crystals, rainbow cubes, and much more to speed up your kingdom construction.
Below you will find all the currently active Cookie Run: Kingdom codes that are available for grabs. Make sure to snag them before they expire!
All Cookie Run: Kingdom Codes May 2024
Nada... so far. Check back for more updates!
How to Redeem Cookie Run: Kingdom Codes
You can redeem your codes in-game or via the DevPlay Coupon website. If you are using the in-game option, head over to the right-hand corner menu when not engaged in battle and select the "Coupons" option. This will redirect you to the same Coupon website mentioned before.
Once you have your DevPlay account name and the code you want to use, enter them on their respective sections on the website screen.
Remember: each code can only be used once per account and you must restart the game after entering the code to receive the reward.
Annette is a freelance writer at IGN and has contributed to a number of guides including Stellar Blade, Starfield, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
If you're scouring the internet for the latest Type Soul codes, we've got you covered. Below, you'll find a list of all the currently active Type Soul codes available this month, so you can redeem yourself some free rewards and bonuses.
If you're interested in keeping up to date with the latest codes to drop in the game, check out the game's official Discord server. Not only will new codes be added to the Announcements channel, but you'll also frequently see members of the community sharing codes, so you can keep up to date on all the latest bonuses and rewards. Of course, you can also keep up with all the latest active codes here for your convenience.
Active Type Soul Codes May 2024
setraboominda
greeniscoolandbest
tamaverified
cyberpoint
jayomalawfirm
theresahiddennpcsomewhere
cursedgearruinsfriendships
brovisitedhisfriends
hakudanerfafter1000years
senkuwascloudkageinjoedame
breathlesspumpkle
5minutesoffame
thekiraevent
thekiraeventparttwo
almightyeye
tsugokusenku
davehashit10kwow
nothinghappened
icanimaginesomeonesayingimnexttoatree
robloxban
myhopewillneverdie
400kdiscmembers
160mvisits
mobileflashpd
nosreppbestaustraliandeveloperinthewholeworld
tsugokusenku
canyouwrap
somethingrandom
canyourecmeintodemonhunter
newfaceswow
How to Redeem Type Souls Codes
To redeem a code in Type Souls, boot up the game, jump into a server and then click the gift icon in the top left-hand corner of the screen. This will pull up a text box where you can redeem codes. Input your chosen code and hit enter. If the code's valid, it will be redeemed. If it isn't, a message reading "Invalid" will appear in the box.
Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer.
Looking to grab some free resources on Solo Leveling: Arise? You've come to the right place. On this page, we've compiled all of the active Solo Leveling: Arise codes available this month so you can enjoy some free bonuses and rewards.
If you're on the hunt for Solo Leveling: Arise codes and want to know where to find them, the best idea is to follow the game's numerous social media accounts. The team behind the game mostly posts codes on Twitter, although you can catch up with any you might've missed by joining their Discord server, where the community frequently share codes. And of course, you can check out what codes are active here.
Active Solo Leveling: Arise Codes May 2024
WORLD1STLEVELUP - Essence Stones
THXSLVARISETHX - 200,000 Gold
How to Redeem Solo Leveling: Arise Codes
How you redeem codes in Solo Leveling will entirely depend on what device you're using. If you're using any device that doesn't use iOS, then you'll want to head into the game, click the sidebar tab, and go into settings by pressing the cog symbol. From here, click on the Account tab and select Redeem code from the options. Type in your code and it'll add your rewards to your account.
If you're on iOS or are generally having trouble with redeeming codes in-game, we'll need to do something slightly different. First, we'll want to open the sidebar tab, head to the settings menu, and then select the Account Tab. From here, look for the Account Details number in the top right-hand corner of the tab. Copy the number and then head to the Solo Leveling: Arise forum's Redeem Code page.
Paste your account details number into the Member Code box and then type the code you want to redeem into the box below it. Press the use button and you'll add the rewards from the code to your account.
Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer.
Looking for Roblox Blade Ball codes? You've come to the right place. This is a complete list of all the Blade Ball codes currently available this month. You'll usually find new Blade Ball codes on the game's official Twitter account, where the devs post them alongside updates for the game, or you can also head over to the game's Discord server and check the Codes channel. The mods will update the server when a new code is posted on Twitter, but you can also keep an eye on this article to see all active Blade Ball codes.
Codes in Blade Ball will net you a host of useful bonuses and other rewards, including free spins on the wheel in the lobby and tickets you can use to open chests for free.
Active Blade Ball Codes May 2024
GIVEMELUCK -4 x LUCK in RNG World
GOODVSEVILMODE - Event Crate Ticket
DUNGEONSRELEASE - 50 Dungeon Runes
FROGS - Free Spin on The Wheel
GOODVSEVIL - Free Spin on The Wheel
RNGEMOTES - Free Spin on The Wheel
FREESPINS - Free Spin on The Wheel
2BTHANKS - Free Spin on The Wheel
How to Redeem Codes in Blade Ball
You can redeem a Blade Ball code at any time in-game by clicking the Extras menu on the HUD in the top left corner of the screen. Set your game to AFK to ensure you don't hop into a round of Blade Ball while redeeming your rewards, then select the extras menu and pick Codes.
From here, a text bar will appear in the centre of the screen. Type any codes you have into the bar and, if they're still valid, you'll get a message confirming your input was successful. If the code is no longer available, it will inform you that the code has expired.
Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer.
With a new month comes a fresh slate of codes for Shindo Life, and to help you make the most of the free bonuses they offer, we've collected every redeemable code and compiled them all in one place. Below, you'll find all of the codes currently active in Shindo Life, which you can cash in for free RellCoins and wheel spins.
If you're looking to keep up to date with new Shindo Life codes, you'll find them across Rell Games' various social media platforms. One way to track down new codes is via their Discord server, however, the best spot to find them is on RellBadMan's X (formerly Twitter) account, with the dev often sharing new codes as they become available. Of course, you can also keep an eye on this article for a roundup of all active Shino Life codes too.
Active Shindo Life Codes May 2024
Remember to input the codes exactly as they're shown below. Shindo Life's codes are case-sensitive, so if you input it slightly incorrectly, the code won't register.
To input your new codes, boot up Shindo Life and, after reaching the main menu, scroll down to the "Edit" option. From here, you'll jump into a character creation screen. Press TAB to dismiss the leaderboard tab if it appears in the top right-hand corner, and then look above the coat and accessory menu on the right-hand side of the screen.
You'll see a black text bar with a YouTube icon next to it. Input the codes into this bar. You won't need to press enter or confirm anything, it will automatically accept the code if it recognises it. If the code is successfully redeemed, it will be replaced with the word accepted, and the spins and coins you recieved will be added to your totals. If the code remains in the box and you don't get the accepted message, the code was either inputted wrong or has expired.
Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer.
The weekend is officially here, and we've got some amazing deals rounded up for you! Whether you're looking for a new game to play as we head into Summer or a new piece of technology to add to your EDC, we've got you covered. The best deals for Sunday, May 19, include Super Mario RPG, the Anker Prime Power Bank, Tekken 8, The Legend of Zelda Manga Complete Box Set, and more.
Super Mario RPG for $42.93
The remake of Super Mario RPG is $42.93 at Amazon right now, which is a great price for this classic title. If you've yet to either play the original or check out the remake, this is the perfect time to do so. Composer Yoko Shimimura returned to compose the remake's original soundtrack, and each boss and environment has been expertly recrafted for the Nintendo Switch. It's the perfect Mario title to check out if you're looking for a fun title while awaiting Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door next week!
Save 40% Off The Legend of Zelda Manga Box Set
Amazon currently has The Legend of Zelda Complete Box Set on sale for only $60.71. In this manga, three stones are the key needed to access the power of the Triforce, and Link must ensure Princess Zelda has access to these stones. His journey to deliver the stone of the forest is one any Zelda fan shouldn't miss. This box set includes all ten volumes of The Legend of Zelda manga, with a bonus poster included as well!
Anker Prime Power Bank for $90
This Anker Prime Power Bank holds 20,000mAh of power, making it perfect for any road trip or flight. You can charge numerous devices with the Anker Prime, with devices like Steam Deck and ROG Ally included. A Nintendo Switch OLED can be powered completely four times with this power bank, and it can also charge your laptop, iPad, or iPhone multiple times. Overall, this is a product that is worth your attention if you're in need of a new power bank.
Dead Island 2 for $19.99
Right now, GameStop has Dead Island 2 for just $19.99. This is the lowest we've seen the game yet, and you can grab it for PS4, PS5, or Xbox. Dead Island 2 is the sequel to 2011's Dead Island, where you take down hordes of zombies with all kinds of weapons and characters. If you missed out on this title last year, now is a great time to check out one of 2023's most underrated titles.
Tekken 8 for $49.99
Tekken 8 is the latest major fighting game to be released for the current generation of consoles. Over 32 characters are already playable, far surpassing titles like Street Fighter 6 or Mortal Kombat 1. The online modes far surpass their predecessors, with good netcode and many different ways to play. In our 9/10 review, we stated Tekken 8 is " an amazing new entry in the long-running series."
Octopath Traveler II for $24.99
Octopath Traveler II was one of the standout RPGs of 2023. Featuring eight different characters, this HD-2D release depicts an expansive story told from the perspectives of these characters. Each traveler has unique abilities, making for a new and exciting experience with each story. This is one RPG you do not want to miss, especially for this price. You can get a free PS5 upgrade, too.
Save Up to 60% Off Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title in the long-running RPG series. Kiryu Kazama returns following the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, uniting with Ichiban Kasuga in a wild adventure you won't forget anytime soon. While you should absolutely try to play through the series in order, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth can be played and enjoyed standalone.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 for $25
For only $25, you can own the first three Metal Gear Solid titles on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch. This package also includes Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Prior to the Master Collection, there was no method to play the Metal Gear Solid titles on most modern consoles, but you can now experience Hideo Kojima's series from the very beginning anywhere.
Persona 3 Reload for $39.99
Persona 3 Reload is one of the best RPGs of the year so far. This remake recreates one of the most praised Atlus titles ever, with loads of new quality-of-life and gameplay features. An all-new voice cast debuted with this release, and each cutscene was remade with new assets for higher quality. With the Episode Aigis -The Answer- DLC set for this Fall, now is a great time to jump in and experience Persona 3.
Score Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Limited Edition for $34.99
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has hit $34.99 on Amazon, marking a new low. With the limited edition of the game, you'll get a unique weapon and an exclusive character gear set to adjust your appearance. You'll get to experience a full open world with Frontiers of Pandora, exploring and fighting enemies with plenty of Na'vi weapons at your disposal.
The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor for $31.99
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was one of the largest games released last year. The game expanded on everything from its predocessor, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, allowing for new planets, worlds, and enemies to be discovered. This official art book released earlier this year, showcasing some of the gorgeous concept art that was used in the creation of this game. If you're a Star Wars fan, pick this one up!
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