Garfield in the Rough

Have said more than once about having always had a soft spot for Garfield as both a child and actually especially as a young adult, who is a child at heart with broader knowledge garnered over time. Have always found Garfield such a funny and endearing character, one that really stands out, and his specials and 'Garfield and Friends' hold up very well, and even more so, now. Not so much 'The Garfield Show' and especially the 2004 live action film.

As far as the Garfield specials go, 'Garfield in the Rough' is great and among the best ones, the occasional roughness in animation quality aside. Making one feel nostalgic about camping and reminding one of the excitement and danger of it. From personal tastes, 'Garfield in the Rough' is not quite as hilarious or as imaginative as 'Garfield in Disguise' or as poignant or charming as 'A Garfield Christmas Special', but that is not to say that any of those qualities are not present. They certainly are, just not quite as much.

The animation is still as colourful as one would expect, the drawing mostly is smooth, the backgrounds don't come over as sparse and there is some lovely attention to detail. The music is playful, catchy and with not a questionable placement. It's upbeat and above all it's memorable.

From start to finish, 'Garfield in the Rough' entertains, peppered with typically witty and wry humour and asides that are both hilarious and endearing. There is also an excitement, nostalgia and an emotional impact that doesn't get schmaltzy, there is a big warm heart underneath. It's constantly charming too and any cuteness doesn't get excessive. The story achieves not being simplistic or trying to have too much, the sprightly pace keeping things engaging.

Garfield is as funny and lovable as ever and can never get over the cuteness of Odie. Cannot imagine anybody else voicing Garfield other than Lorenzo Music.

Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I know this special premiered in 1984, but I saw this sometime in the early 90s. And let me tell you, seeing these cute characters in those dark and scary situations is too contrasting. Sure there are some funny moments like the fantasy sequences the Garfield goes through, as Garfield tries to impress a girl. There is an Italian-themed one, a Mexican-temed one, and a Hawaiian-themed one. They are funny and something of what I call, the saving graces. However, it is time to peel the band-aid off the skin. It has come to my attention that the panther on the loose is the one that makes it all dark and scary. Was I sacred when I first saw it in lower school? Yes, I was. I felt so sorry for the poor characters. It was dark. Dark in 1984, dark in 1991, dark in 2007, dark in 2012, dark today! How could they put this on national television?! The other good part was the ending. Where you know what happened. It is a feel-good one too, so I won't spoil it for you. You have to see it. I bet you were sacred by the panther in this cartoon. Let me tell you that this is suitable for kids seven and up. However, there are some scenes that can frighten not only younger viewers, but sensitive viewers too. This cartoon can teach kids about courage and learn to stand up for themselves.

Give it a watch at your own risk.

I liked this tv show because I like Garfield. Garfield's my favorite cartoon character.

Even after 18 years, "Garfield in the Rough" holds up very well. One of the reasons is a strong script by Jim Davis, Garfield's original creator. He deftly weaves humor and tension.

Excellent voices help this production, too. Garfield, everyone's favorite overweight house cat, is voiced as always by the late, very talented Lorenzo Music. Thom Huge does the voice of his owner, Jon Arbuckle, a role he performed in every Garfield special (sadly, to date he has not found any success elsewhere). Gregg Berger, voice acting veteran, plays both the brainless but loyal dog Odie, and the first Ranger. The other Ranger is played by George Wendt, better known to millions as Norm on "Cheers." Woodland creatures Dicky Beaver and Billy Rabbit are played by highly respected actors Hal Smith and Orson Bean, respectively. And several girl cats, existing only in Garfield's fantasies, are played by Desirée Goyette.

Goyette, along with Music, and no less a figure than Lou Rawls himself sing several lovely songs in the show (and of course, Huge sings a couple as well). The music does a good job of setting the mood. Special notice must go to a song which is briefly heard on the radio, after the news report about the deadly panther. Not only is it an excellent joke (it's described as "Fun Music" but sounds like the most depressing song in the world), but the brief seconds we hear of it, combined with the report, do an excellent job of turning the frivolous atmosphere into one of foreboding.

The animation is perhaps the one area where it could have used some work. Occasionally it gets a bit rough, and not very detailed. But most of the time it was great.

Oddly enough, the rough look was the only possible look that would have worked for the show-stealer: the panther. If it was *more* detailed, it wouldn't have been as scary. And let me tell you, to children, that panther is terrifying. Even adults get chills down their spines from that beast. Garfield's attack on it is almost certainly the most selfless thing he's ever done.

All in all, "Garfield in the Rough" is a very good animation special that anyone can view over and over again.

This Garfield animated short is a good one! It is quite spooky once Garfield,Odie,and their master,John get to the great outdoors.The Panther is really neat.Lou Rawls' song(s) is good.I think this is really a good cartoon and its for any age!