Ah 1995, a year in film where we great classics such as Apollo 13, Braveheart, and Toy Story. One film, however, that came out during that year that has received a cult following happens to be A Goofy Movie, which features one of Disney’s greatest characters Goofy. Despite being born in the 1990s and growing up on cartoons that came out in that era, I actually have never seen A Goofy Movie. Thanks to Disney +, though, I finally got to experience this mid-1990s favorite and see what was the big deal. Was it overhyped for me? As always, let’s find out.

Based off the early 1990s show Goof Troop, in A Goofy Movie we follow Max Goof (voiced Jason Marsden) who is the son of Goofy (voiced by Bill Farmer) as he is about to go on his summer vacation. On the last day of school Max decides to impress his school crush Roxanne (voiced by Kellie Martin) by recreating a small concert during a school assembly with the music of Powerline (a fictional pop artist voiced by Tevin Campell). Max’s stunt works, but it also lands him in the principal’s office. The Principle (voiced by Shawn Wallace) warns Goofy that if Max doesn’t clean up his act soon, his future would be in peril. Scared for Max’s future, Goofy decides to take him to his childhood camping spots for the Summer as a way to bond with him. Max rejects this idea because it would mean he wouldn’t be able to spend time with Roxanne.  But with Goofy being persistent on spending time with Max, he has no choice but to spend the summer with his eccentric dad.

After watching A Goofy Movie, I can say that I get why people are nostalgic for this film due to the music and the father-son bonding. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but to me it’s not something I’m going to revisit over and over like some people I know. I know this may sound blasphemous to some, but then again, I didn’t have the nostalgia factor when I first watched this film. 

I think what made me not fall in love with A Goofy Movie to the degree of many people my age was the plot. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but it’s one with events that I could see coming while I was watching it. Yes, I know I’m nitpicking but if I’m honest, that’s what’s keeping me from truly loving this film. I think I would feel differently if I had a huge attachment to not only the film, but also to Goof Troop. Unfortunately, I don’t despite the fact I did watch a little bit of the show in syndication when I was younger.

I will say the one thing that I enjoyed the most in A Goofy Movie, even though those scenes were predictable, were the father and son moments between Goofy and Max. When the movie got quiet and focused on those two characters getting along and having a deepfelt conversation, I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was the thing I was gravitated towards the most as it reminded me of my own heartfelt conversations between my dad and myself. Even when the film went back to what made this movie really famous (the music of Powerline), those positive father and son moments lingered towards the end. 

I know I keep overusing the word nostalgia, but that’s honestly makes A Goofy Movie great to some viewers. To me I really enjoyed the pro-family message the most and I would watch it again just for those scenes (and maybe the moments with Powerline as well). As of this moment it’s available on Disney + in case you are interested. Either way, I think you’ll enjoy this mid 1990s time capsule, especially if you’re a Disney fanatic.