A Goofy Movie / Not Just A Goof

Originally published Apr 14, 2025

This review goes out to my dad for always loving and supporting his goofy son.

April 7, 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of an animated Disney feature that transcended its initial icy reception to become nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. I am, of course, referring to A Goofy Movie.; a story of reconciliation between a father and his teenaged son set in the distinct bygone era of the 90s. Thanks to repetitive showings on Disney Channel, A Goofy Movie is a feature I’ve only grown fonder of as I’ve grown. I’m now able to appreciate the grounded struggles and complex emotions of the characters while still drawing as much joy from the dynamic animation, righteous soundtrack, and, dare I say it, goofy humor. There’s not much I can say that hasn’t been said en masse already. With that being the case, let’s talk about the new documentary celebrating it: Not Just a Goof.

Directed by Eric Kimelton and Christopher Ninness, Not Just a Goof is a documentary that gives an in-depth, behind the scenes look into the tumultuous production of A Goofy Movie. It features interviews with crew and cast members whose own relationship experiences with their parents or children helped shape the movie. The documentary demonstrates how a film’s initial success or lack thereof doesn’t dictate the legacy it will have. And despite the obstacles they faced, the crew still had a good time in the end.

With graduation looming just around the corner, Not Just a Goof gave me a glimmer of hope for the future, reminding me of the importance of passion, perseverance and patience during and even after the filmmaking experience. The risk of failure is always present in the world of film, but that shouldn’t deter us from telling the stories that we want to tell. And don’t stress about goofing up; it’s all part of the process.

A Goofy Movie rating: 9/10

Not Just a Goof rating: 8.5/10