It felt like only yesterday we were cruising cross-country with Goofy and Max, navigating teenage angst and the allure of Powerline concerts in A Goofy Movie (1995). That film struck such a chord, a surprisingly heartfelt look at a father-son relationship wrapped in classic Disney animation and catchy tunes. So, when An Extremely Goofy Movie popped up on the rental shelves in 2000, arriving direct-to-video just as many of us who grew up with Max were contemplating college ourselves, it felt like a welcome, albeit slightly unexpected, reunion. Could a sequel, especially one bypassing theaters, recapture that same goofy-yet-genuine magic?
Gawrsh! He Followed Me To College?
The premise is pure Goof Troop gold: Max (Jason Marsden, perfectly capturing Max’s mix of embarrassment and affection) is finally free, off to college with P.J. (Rob Paulsen returning briefly) and Bobby (Pauly Shore making a brief cameo before Jeff Bennett skillfully takes over voicing duties). His dream? Mastering the college X-Games and escaping his dad's loving, smothering shadow. But when Goofy (Bill Farmer, the irreplaceable voice of Goof since 1987) gets downsized from his job due to lacking a college degree, he decides – you guessed it – to enroll at the same university as Max. The ensuing chaos is both hilariously over-the-top and surprisingly relatable. The core conflict remains the push-and-pull between a son craving independence and a father struggling to let go (while simultaneously embracing 70s disco culture with gusto). This central dynamic, the heart of the original, thankfully remains intact and provides the sequel's emotional anchor.
X-Games, Rivalries, and Beret Girls
Director Douglas McCarthy, a veteran of TV animation like DuckTales and Aladdin, keeps the energy high. The college setting provides fertile ground for new adventures and memorable characters. We get the instantly hissable Bradley Uppercrust III (Jeff Bennett again, showing fantastic range), leader of the snooty Gamma Mu Mu fraternity and Max’s chief rival in the X-Games. His smug superiority makes him a perfect foil. And then there's the effortlessly cool, poetry-slamming Beret Girl (voiced by Vicki Lewis), who becomes P.J.'s unexpected love interest and steals every scene she’s in with her finger-snapping nonchalance. The focus on the College X-Games feels distinctly late-90s/early-2000s, tapping into the era's fascination with extreme sports. While maybe not as timeless as a Powerline concert, the skateboarding and trick biking sequences are fluidly animated and inject plenty of action.
Retro Fun Facts: Direct-to-Video Doesn't Mean Direct-to-Dull
Let's be honest, the "direct-to-video sequel" label often carried a certain stigma back then. Budgets were typically lower, and sometimes the quality dipped. However, An Extremely Goofy Movie stands as one of the better examples from Disney's DTV boom. The animation, handled primarily by Disney Television Animation's Australian unit, maintains a level of quality consistent with the original film and the Goof Troop series. It might lack the sheer cinematic scope of its predecessor, but it never feels cheap. Interestingly, this was reportedly one of the last DTV sequels produced mainly by Disney Television Animation before the dedicated DisneyToon Studios division largely took over sequel production.
The screenplay, credited to Scott Spencer Gordon and Hillary Carlip, successfully balances the slapstick Goofy antics with Max’s more grounded college experiences. And while it doesn't boast a chart-topper like "Stand Out" or "I 2 I," the soundtrack leans into a fun disco/funk vibe for Goofy's storyline, adding another layer of comedic charm. It even snagged an Annie Award for "Outstanding Animated Home Video Production" in 2000, proving its quality was recognized within the industry. It found its audience, becoming a popular rental and purchase, ensuring Max and Goofy's college adventures became fond memories for many.
Still Goofy After All These Years
Does An Extremely Goofy Movie eclipse the original? Probably not. A Goofy Movie had that perfect storm of story, character, and unforgettable music that cemented its place as a 90s animated classic. But this sequel is far more than just a cash-in. It revisits beloved characters with affection, finds new ways to explore their enduringly relatable relationship, and wraps it all in a package full of energy, laughs, and surprisingly decent skateboarding animation. It understood that the heart of the story wasn't just Goofy's clumsiness, but the genuine bond between father and son, navigating the tricky transition to adulthood. It’s a film brimming with warmth and humor, a worthy follow-up that felt like catching up with old friends for one more adventure.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
This rating reflects a genuinely fun, well-made sequel that respects its characters and delivers solid entertainment. It doesn't quite reach the iconic status of the first film, particularly in the music department, and the DTV constraints are occasionally apparent. However, its strong character work, especially the core Goofy/Max dynamic, funny supporting cast (Beret Girl forever!), and energetic animation make it a highly enjoyable watch that successfully carries the torch.
It might not have played on the big screen, but finding this tape at the video store felt like discovering a welcome epilogue to Max’s story – proving that even in college, life is always better (and way funnier) with a little bit of Goof.