Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

An Extremely Goofy Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 5, 2021

Disney follows up on 1995's A Goofy Movie with a "bigger and better" -- or so its name claims -- sequel in 2000's An Extremely Goofy Movie, which is essentially Disney's answer to the 1986 quasi-classic Back to School starring the late, great Rodney Dangerfield. This is the animated family friendly take on the story, though, starring title character Goofy and his son Max, following their personal responses to a critical moment in their shared life stories. The film is simple if not a little sour at times, pleasant if not a bit predictable, capable if not a bit corny. There's enough to like to warrant a watch but nothing to see the movie stand apart from superior fare, either in likeminded live action films or in the broader animation realm.

Max Goof (voiced by Jason Marsden) is excited to go to college. It means “no more well meaning but totally smothering, overprotective, doting, yucking dads.” He can’t wait to get out of his house and experience true freedom from his loving but overbearing father. Max and his friends have big plans to make a big impact at college: to not only enter the College X-Games but to win the whole thing. They’re up against the five-time winners, the Gammas, and the house’s head honcho, Bradley Uppercrust III (voiced by Jeff Bennett). On the other hand, Max’s dad Goofy (voiced by Bill Farmer) is quickly falling into an empty nest depression, lamenting time’s quick passage from changing diapers to sending his boy off to college. One day at work, suffering from a particularly bad case of the blues, Goofy damages the assembly line and is summarily dismissed. He can’t land another job because he doesn’t have a college education. His response: get a college diploma and cure what ails him by enrolling at Max’s school at the same time! Now with dear old dad by his side in all his “smothering” and “yucking,” Max finds himself struggling to stay afloat in class and in training for the X-games while trying his best to forge his own identity separate from his father’s shadow.

While the film doesn't exactly break any new ground it's certainly an agreeable little venture. It finds a good balance, like its predecessor, between slapstick humor and sincere heart, though certainly neither element stands apart from the pack. The film, to its credit, keeps the beat flowing with a rhythmic cadence and a quick pulse and pace that maintains a high energy level, dipping only in a few key moments, such as when a depressed Goofy shambles around the screen. But the film is otherwise lively and energetic, maybe too much a product of its era but otherwise making for a simple little diversion that's nicely animated and well voiced.

An Extremely Goofy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

There's no funny business with An Extremely Goofy Movie's 1080p transfer. Disney's Blu-ray presentation is terrific from start to finish, yielding a crisp, colorful image that is well suited to the high definition physical format. The picture is bright and cheerful. The static backgrounds are pleasantly defined, showcasing blades of grass, trees and leaves, and of course numerous locations in and around campus where so many scenes take place, including broad view exteriors and more intimate interiors like a coffee shop and a dorm room. The Blu-ray is well capable of allowing the viewer to soak in all of the environmental niceties with plenty of structural clarity and accuracy. The forefront motion elements are clean and well defined. Lines are smooth and satisfying. The unique character models move smoothly and hold fast to excellent definition and fine point detail. Blu-ray truly brings out the best of the animation's inherent qualities. Colors are exceptional, too. They are vibrant and eye-catching. The palette is varied and true, boasting superior punch and life, particularly up-close and concerning in-motion characters and elements. Backgrounds are a little flatter and more pastel, giving way to the lively color explosions seen in the foreground. There's a general richness to colors, a neutral contrast at work, and plenty of life to primaries. Blacks and darker tones hold steady and true. The picture shows no signs of source shortcomings or encode maladies. This is a very strong, high yield, well pleasing 1080p transfer from Disney.

An Extremely Goofy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

An Extremely Goofy Movie's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack may not be extremely excellent, but it's not at all bad. The track zips and zooms and regularly sends information all around the soundstage. There are no shortage of opportunities, with practically every sequence offering something, like aggressive music or swooping vehicles, to get the blood flowing and the speakers fully engaged. Clarity is solid, too, certainly not to peak efficiency and lifelike realism but the sound effects and the corresponding clarity easily satisfy the requirements for an animated film. The aforementioned music is healthy in spacing, vitality, and fidelity. Ambient effects aren't overly pronounced or even all that much engaging but the little odds and ends help to create a slightly fuller listening environment. Dialogue is clear and efficient in front-center delivery.

An Extremely Goofy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of An Extremely Goofy Movie includes no supplemental content. The main menu screen offers only options to play the film and select scenes. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

An Extremely Goofy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Though it may play with some familiar refrains, An Extremely Goofy Movie makes for a satisfying little jaunt back to school within the prism of the challenging father-son relationship that was introduced in the first film. Here, slapstick humor and a few crude gags and suggestive scenes play in stark contrast to the conflict between father and son, with the former desperate to turn back the clock and the latter all too eager to push it forward. Where the resolution falls isn't much of a surprise but there's enough tenderness along the way to make the journey worthwhile. Disney's Blu-ray, which is at time of writing exclusive to its online movie club, delivers excellent video and audio presentations. Recommended.