Not Just a Goof

Check out my review of this documentary and the video where I roast the critics who hate A Goofy Movie on my YouTube channel: Roast The Critics. Review: Of of the movies to make a documentary about, they picked my absolute favorite Disney movie, A Goofy Movie. I thought I was the only one who considers it modern Disney's greatest achievement. I thought I was the only one who was moved so deeply by the story since I was a little boy. I thought my dad was the only dad who sat down to watch it with me (he hated cartoons, but he watched this one). Apparently, there's a gigantic following that are as moved by this under-appreciated masterpiece. This documentary brought such happy tears, and confirmed that I wasn't the only one who is obsessed with this movie. I hope Disney is paying attention, because if they hope to survive another 30 years, they better recapture the magic of A Goofy Movie. I've always said they need to make a feature film about Mickey Mouse and the whole gang - in 2d animation. There's not a demographic on the planet that, if done right, it wouldn't appeal to. We don't want more expensive films. Keep the budgets modest and the stories simple. That's what we want. That needs to be the new era of movies going forward.

This is a film for anyone that dreams of being a creator. For anyone that LOVES a peek behind the curtain. For filmmakers, animators, Disney fans, Goofy fans and everyone in between.

Not Just a Goof is an inspiring and heartwarming story of true underdogs with a chance to do something great.

And the doc is independently made! This is a major accomplishment. It's not every day a true indie film is created and brought into the fold at Disney Studios.

I love the celebration of what I believe is a true Disney Classic.

There is so much heart in this film and so much love poured into every frame - the score is also beautiful!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!

A Goofy Movie (1995) is my third favorite Disney animated movie of all time and this documentary movie is one of the best movie documentaries I've watched in a long time.

Positives for Not Just a Goof (2025): It was fascinating to watch this documentary on a movie that I am surprised failed at first and manage to grow legs over time. It was nice to see these interviews with people who genuinely cared about making this movie. It was also nice to see clips of fans and critics saying awesome things about the movie. I loved seeing the concept arts for this movie. And finally, it was just nice see Disney finally acknowledge this movie for its greatness.

Overall, Not Just a Goof (2025) is a wonderful documentary movie on a phenomenal Disney animated movie.

Sometimes, there exists little corners of pop culture that are transformational for a generation. 1995's A Goofy Movie is one of those "pockets". Despite being a critical flop, the heartwarming messages and sheer entertainment value of the film helped born-in-the-80s-and-growing-up-in-the-90s kids navigate adolescence. Not Just A Goof Is a tribute to that legacy.

For the most part, Not Just A Goof is a pretty straightforward "behind the scenes" doc. A lot of archival footage/interviews were recently discovered and put to solid use here. Granted, these are also the most "boring" parts of the doc, so to speak. The material is fine--there's just too much time spent on the technical "making of" film specs and less about legacy.

Fortunately, there are enough highlights here to largely ameliorate those concerns. One is the segment on the music of the film. Truly remarkable how The Goofy Movie team somewhat stumbled into a group of musicians that made the songs of the film stand the test of time.

Then, the last 20 minutes of the doc are absolutely riveting--as that is when the film's legacy is discussed. It remains somewhat unreal (to the fans and the creators alike!) that The Goofy Movie has not only achieved cult status, but even vaulted far above that to headline Disney expositions and becoming an out-and-out 90s classic.

Truth be told, a bit more time could have been spent on "legacy" and a bit less on "nuts and bolts of filmmaking" and Not Just A Goof would have been even better. But as a card-carrying "Goofy Movie kid" through and through, it was still fun to recall that magical mid-90s period and recall how a classic Disney character transcended those roots and inspired a generation.

A Goofy Movie was always one of my favorite Disney animated films, but it never seemed to get the recognition it deserved. This documentary puts that into perspective for all fans of the film. It goes to show there is way more love for A Goofy Movie than anyone ever knew.

The writer and director of the documentary did some great interviews with cast members Bill Farmer and Jason Marsden, the producers and mostly, director Kevin Lima. A Goofy Movie was a work of love by those who made the film, and it's great to see how much they cared. It's hard to believe the studio didn't have as much faith in the film even though it was based on a core Disney character.

I was extremely surprised that Jeffrey Katzenberg was wanting Goofy not to have his iconic voice, but rather have him voiced by Steve Martin. How weird that would have been. I'm so glad they didn't go in that direction. And even though Katzenberg seems insane for that idea, he was still behind the film until the day he was fired.

It's been 30 years since released and it's awesome to see what an impact A Goofy Movie has had on audiences of multiple generations and across all ethnic groups. It is one of the more memorable films of my childhood and I'm so glad it's still so popular.