A Goofy Movie (1995) Review

“Yo Stacey! Talk to me, talk to me baby!”

THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

When life is bringing you down, you can go to family to cheer you up. If it’s them driving you crazy, good luck figuring that part out.


PLOT


A Goofy Movie takes place three years after the series Goof Troop. Set in a universe of anthropomorphic canines, Goofy works in a mall department store as a photographer alongside his neighbor Pete and he lives with his only son Maximilian. Max is now a teenager who looks up to pop star Power Line and has a crush over a girl named Roxanne (Kellie Martin), but worries he won’t impress her out of fear he’ll catch on the clumsiness that his dad is all about. So on the last day of school before summer vacation, he hijacks an assembly with the help of his friends, PJ & Bobby (Rob Paulsen & Pauly Shore), lip syncing to a Power Line song. His performance makes him a school celebrity and Roxanne invites him to a viewing party of a live broadcast to the latest Power Line concert. When Goofy gets a call from Principal Mazur (Wallace Shawn) of his son’s actions that makes him worry of potential juvenile delinquency, he plans a fishing trip to Lake Destiny in Idaho to curb Max’s behavior. This makes his son have to tell Roxanne he can’t make it to the concert, but he lies that he’s going Los Angeles where Power Line is performing and join the artist onstage. She believes it and on the way, Max dislikes the whole drive, especially when Goofy takes him to a run down amusement park. He and his dad do run into PJ and Pete who were camping nearby. Goofy does take him fishing where he teaches him his ‘Perfect Cast’ technique, but accidentally lures Bigfoot (Frank Welker) to their camp. He and Max would have to wait out the night in the car while Pete & PJ are able to retreat. During said night though, Max changes the map route to LA while his dad sleeps. After Bigfoot leaves, the pair resume the trip and enjoy several stops together. Eventually, they stop to a motel where they meet Pete & PJ again. This time, Pete overhears Max admitting to changing the map. He does end up telling Goofy what he heard, but the latter believes his son will make the right decision. Sadly when they continue driving the next day, Max proves Pete right by sticking to the LA route. Goofy ends up stopping near the Grand Canyon and storms off in disappointment. With the brake loose, the car drives off on its own and the two chase after it until riding the car down the Colorado River. Upon crashing, they then express what bothers them: Goofy tells Max of his call from the principal and expresses of his worry. Max admits he lied because he’s growing up and wanted to be on his own. Although he hears this, Goofy assures his son he’ll still love him no matter how old they get. Finally reconciling, Goofy agreees to help him get to LA. They only get there after evading the wrath of a waterfall in which Max saves his dad with the Perfect Cast technique. When reaching LA, they get to sneak onstage and dance alongside Power Line which surprises everyone at home. Goofy & Max return home with their car barely functioning. Max admits to Roxanne he lied out of worry she wouldn’t like him, but she assures him she always did when they first met. When the car explodes, Goofy ejects into Roxanne’s house roof. After making plans to go out, the film ends with Max proudly introducing Roxanne to his dad.


THOUGHTS


After 30 long years and counting, it’s crazy to realize there is at least one film from Disney’s Renaissance Era to be deemed underrated. It’s ironic for it to star one of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse members and not be talked about in the same vein of Aladdin or The Lion King. This is the case because critics at the same time didn’t dig it then. I find that hard to believe because I’ve been seeing it so many times since my childhood and it ages well in my opinion. The animation is part of the reason like the rest of Disney’s hits from the 90s, where each character stands out from one another. And most importantly, the comedy cooks which you gotta expect when Goofy is front and center. Whether it is him thinking a run down amusement park was a good idea before fishing or not taking Bigfoot seriously until after taking a picture, you can’t help adoring his good nature that he’s always been about, especially when voiced by a talented actor like Bill Farmer. The best part about re-watching this movie as you get older is that you are able to able to understand both father and son perspectives better than the first time around. As a kid, you easily relate to Max's eagerness to fit in because Jason Marsden the signature insecurity anyone can recollect as a teen. He gets along with PJ & Bobby so well because they share those feelings and together, they create strong enthusiasm to do what they want. Max likes Roxanne so much he admires that genuine confidence he seeks and she always liked him back for his charm she always knew he had from the laugh he gets from his dad. Max was always embarrassed of his dad because he couldn't understand how he always had nonstop optimism. He loves listening to Power Line because his songs 'I 2 I' and 'Stand Out', both of which are performed beautifully by Tevin Campbell, express the importance of communication which is the whole point of this story. Even his opening track 'After Today' expressed the same eagerness he carries within to get where he wants to be. And 'On the Open Road' was a great balance in reflecting nostalgia & escapism that both leads depict. If we don't communicate with our parents, then we're not gonna be on the same page. That was the dilemma between them that caused generations to clash. Max couldn't help it in changing the map because he wanted to fit in so bad, but when his dad spoke up of his worries and made clear he'll never stop loving him, he understood exactly how he's not alone with having inner fears. Their final song together 'Nobody Else But You' was a great way to express their inner appreciation after all the downs between the ups in their road trip. Goofy goes out of his way with the road trip because it was his way to remind his son he still cares and in the end, he proved so with the advice he gave over Roxanne if it didn't work out. Goofy even took account of hearing out Pete's advice in being strict, although Jim Cummings makes him quite snooby, it was important for his son to remember he is still a serious person. He still held back about it because he didn't want him to hate him when he's only looking out for him. Before that, Max proves he takes his teachings to heart when using the Perfect Cast to save him because you never know what you can do until you try it. The fact he did it at the most unexpected proves how strong the bond a father and a son can be when it's created with love and communication. This movie will remain a classic in my eyes, but there were a few moments that make me scratch my head to this day. For example, how come no in the crowd pointed out PJ was behind the curtain? If they wanted out of the assembly, that would’ve done it. And where did the mother of the little girl go? She just bails before Goofy does and it’s weird she’s nowhere to be seen when her girl runs around the mall. I did think it was a bit cool for Bobby to make a Leaning Tower of Cheese at the palm of his hand, but how did he have enough cheese in the can to do that? I mean considering he was giddy about it when Max gave it to him, I’m surprised he still had enough by the time he had to talk to the principal. I’ve already pointed out Goofy means well, but what made him think a run-down amusement park themed of possums was gonna be something his boy would like? Considering they were bickering over what music to listen to on the radio, he should’ve put thought on what the first stop would be. That honestly bothered me more than that he was allowed to hang off the tree as an adult for the photo op with the possums. Also, Max should’ve not been surprised Roxanne would spread he was going to LA. When you start a lie of something extravagant, you’re gonna be quoted at some point. Lastly, why didn’t he lock the door if he didn’t want anyone to hear him to tell PJ what he did? That irritated me more than the how he made a mess in a hotel with all the pizza or that the car was still functional after going through a waterfall. Other than that, this is still a blast for every generation that has come before and after. In short, Director Kevin Lima gave us the most under-appreciated of Disney's catalog for nailing all the heart we would expect from a cartoon icon and make it much more than about laughter. If you are a Disney fan, please don't skip this.