College is waiting for Max, Goofy’s son,
While Daddy will miss him, he’s eager to run.
For Max cannot wait to be more than a Goof
And to get out from under his silly dad’s roof.
Max leaves with his friends, hardly saying good-bye,
And savors his freedom without Dad nearby.
He, P.J., and Bobby (those are his friends’ names)
Are favored while practicing for the X-Games.
The three also enter the envious view
Of the snooty fraternity Gamma Mu Mu,
And Max makes a wager with Bradley, their chief,
That they’ll beat the Gammas or else suffer grief.
Meanwhile, ol’ Goofy gets easily fired
And, with no degree, finds he cannot get hired.
Therefore, he needs college, so where should he go
But Max’s own classroom (and with an afro!).
Now needless to say, Max is not overjoyed,
And his father’s intrusion just gets him annoyed.
He lets his dad join with the Gammas one day,
And that, plus a girlfriend, keeps Goofy away.
But Max’s plan backfires when his own dad
Excels at skateboarding and makes him look bad.
They argue, and Goofy starts making mistakes
But soon bounces back, comprehending the stakes.
He aces his tests with both vigor and vim,
And splits from the Gammas (or they split from him).
The X-Games arrive, and, when Brad tries to cheat,
Max needs his own dad so that they can compete.
Despite Bradley’s minions (who wear camouflage),
The Goofs circumvent almost all sabotage,
And, even when Bradley thinks he’s in first place,
Max comes from behind him to win the whole race.
Brad gets his comeuppance, and Goofy gets dates,
And, after a year, Max’s dad graduates.
No longer a kid, nor his dad a buffoon,
Max and company dance to a seventies tune.
___________________________
Most kids’ movies have elements intentionally thrown in for the parents, cleverly disguised mature jokes or retro pop culture references that fly over the heads of most minors. Yet An Extremely Goofy Movie incorporates these features into the plot by putting Goofy himself in the place of the nostalgic parent. By depicting the generation gap between modern Max and old-fashioned Goofy, the film offers something funny and relatable for every age group.
A direct-to-video sequel to A Goofy Movie, An Extremely Goofy Movie was actually better received according to Rotten Tomatoes. With a great retro soundtrack and some good clean humor, it’s a family film that might be many children’s first introduction to 1970s culture. Some pathos is even thrown in concerning Goofy missing his son (my mom teared up one time after Max left his dad high and dry at the beginning). Plus, the voice-acting is top-notch.
Yet, one thing that does bother me (and especially my VC) is Max’s obvious disdain for the dog(?) who raised him. Granted, Goofy is a bit overbearing and certainly embarrassing, but he didn’t deserve the scorn his son aimed at him. By the end, Goofy apologizes for his faults, while Max can only go so far as to think maybe his old man isn’t so bad after all. There’s no remorse for the way he treated his dad, and, by the last scene, it’s still clear he’s eager to be rid of him. Also, the film’s depiction of college as mostly fun with some studying is unrealistic. Still, it’s quite good for a direct-to-video movie and is underrated, in my opinion.
Though it was released in 1975 and I have heard it elsewhere, the song “Right Back Where We Started From” always makes me think of this movie and the characters dancing and is definitely in the End Credits Song Hall of Fame.
Best line: (Bobby, asking a question I’m sure many have asked) “Do you ever wonder why we’re all, like, wearing gloves?”
VC’s best line: (the beret girl’s way of encouraging Max) “Max, Max, Max, admit defeat, and defeat will surely admit you into permanent custody, my man.”
Artistry: 2
Characters/Actors: 6
Entertainment: 7
Visual Effects: 5
Originality: 4
Watchability: 5
TOTAL: 29 out of 60
Tomorrow: #333 – Good Will Hunting
© 2014 S. G. Liput
Rhyme and Reason 