Months before I knew I’d be taking the Goof beat in EW’s trip down ’90s nostalgia lane, I came across A Goofy Movie while channel surfing and began watching the whole thing with more enthusiasm than I remember ever feeling when I first watched the TV series. At the time, I wasn’t sure if that was because it had been so long since I watched the show, or if it was one of those rare occurrences where the movie was better than the series from which it originated.
So is A Goofy Movie, which follows the father-son pooch pair as they try to reconnect on a roadtrip, the exception? I honestly think so. I even tested my theory by devouring several episodes of Goof Troop last week — clearly against my will because who spends their entire weekend watching TV? Oh, right… — and my conclusion stands! A Goofy Movie is simply better than Goof Troop the series.
I might get torn to pieces over the declaration, but it’s my nonscientific conclusion. The movie was simply catchier, more gripping, and less sluggish than the series, which had a tendency feel longer than its 22 minutes. Take, for example, “Peg o’ the Jungle,” in which Pete spends the entire episode in hot water with his wife over a forgotten anniversary. The episode seemed to go on forever, and in the name of research (and incredible laziness), I watched the whole thing without switching it off, just to make certain I was giving it a fair chance. And I felt the same way about at least three other episodes.
But this isn’t about picking apart weak episodes of a long-gone cartoon series. This is more to pose a question to you, dear readers. Am I a freak for liking A Goofy Movie better than the series that made it possible? Am I simply brainwashed after having watched “Stand Out” way too many times? Or do some of you stand with me on this issue?
I still love the music from “The Goofy Movie” – I think it was called “Out on the Open Road”–so catchy!
Agreed – the music is a huge part of what makes A Goofy Movie so amazing. Undoubtedly better than the series.
I believe the song is called “Open Road.” I never watched “A Goofy Movie” until my husband DVR’d it for our 3 year old daughter. She loves it! She must have seen it 10 times now and she still asks for it on occassion. It’s a great little movie for kids.
I love the songs from A Goofy Movie.
I know! The Powerline tracks hold up really well. They took the best elements of ’90s MJ and Prince and created some surprisingly great kid-friendly songs.
The Goofy Movie was just excellent. It was nice to see Goofy in a more “serious” role, as his relationship with Max was very well written. And Max was the perfect annoying young boy who likes nothing every teen could relate too.
I thought I was the only one who liked seeing Goofy in a more serious, responsible role! This thread is great.
Goof Troop was the weakest of the Disney Afternoon cartoons. Give me Darkwing Duck any day!
Darkwing Duck is the greatest. When there’s trouble-you call D.W.! And the Goofy Movie is far and away better than Goof Troop BECAUSE OF the music. Stand Out and On the Open Road are the greatest!
I was more into Animaniacs and Tiny Toons.
I was also more into Animaniacs and Tiny Toons but I did like the Goof Troop movie better than the series.
Both! Loved both.
I was 25 when the movie came out…..Saw it twice in the theater….lol……The music is awesome in it as well….
Lester’s Possum Park Forever!
HAHAHA LOVED Lester’s Possum Park! I bust up everytime I see those kids take down the guy in the suit and drag him off to parks unknown.
of course A Goofy Movie is better than the series, who doesn’t love Powerline?
Funny you should write this article now. I just rented it from Netflix. I love The Goofy Movie. The movie has some great songs and really connects with the teenage need to belong, yet still loving your parents.
“Its the Leaning Tower of Cheesa” – makes me laugh every time. Oh and the Sasquatch scene is hilarious.
The Sasquatch doing the quintessential 70′s dance with just his finger? Never gets old.
The leaning tower of cheese-a. Love the movie!
I loved both! I chose A Goofy Movie though because I still watch it every so often
The Goofy Movie FTW. The part that always cracks me up is when Max smacks the possum and says “Beat if Doofus.” and then the possum walks away and the kids attack it in excitement but it can’t see because it’s head is turned around. Always makes me laugh hysterically. That movie is AWESOME. Favorite song is Stand Out and Nobody Else But You.
The show and movie were great. I love the songs from the movie! They don’t make great shows like that any more
I guess I’m the only one who loved the series more than the movie. I liked The friend/family dynamics that were explained more in the TV show.
I saw the movie in theatres as a seven or six year old and found it boring and I hated max’s friend with the cheese love. However my dad loved it, even cried a little.
I maintain that A Goofy Movie is one of the best teen movies ever made, as well as being a fun family film – with really great/corny songs!
I gotta say the movie for the music alone! It came on TV the other day and I just had to stop what I was doing and watch it. I had not seen it in forever.