Not Just A Goof is a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the creation, struggles, and lasting impact of A Goofy Movie. The documentary details the journey of a group of underdogs as they make their first Disney feature. The film covers the creative challenges, studio decision-making, and the film’s eventual cult status. It’s a film full of passion and heart. There is also a more personal story that emerges throughout the documentary.
Not Just A Goof utilizes animation to tell certain parts of its story. Venturia Animation out of Colombia does the animation that homages A Goofy Movie. The creative team behind Not Just A Goof told me they always wanted to use animation within their documentary, and it ended up being a way to do scenes where they didn’t have archival footage (meetings with Jeffrey Katzenberg at 7AM, etc). The animated sections within the doc are so well done and fit the overall vibe. The animation creates some memorable sequences within the documentary.
The amount of archival footage and concept art within the doc is utterly incredible. It provides such a clear look at the production and the crew who brought A Goofy Movie to life. It just makes me happy that Kevin Lima (director of A Goofy Movie) and others had the foresight to just film everything.
The part of Not Just A Goof that gave me the most chills and goosebumps was the origin of Powerline. As the film discusses the origins of the characters, we are treated to a section that features the live-action reference for “I 2 I.” The whole sequence is just bonkers to watch. Anthony Thomas (the live-action reference for Powerline and a choreographer for Janet Jackson and many others) absolutely crushes it. It’s just incredible to witness the live-action reference be translated so flawlessly into animation.
During our conversation on The Zach Perilstein Show, Not Just A Goof co-director Christopher Ninness revealed to me that after watching Into the Unknown: The Making of Frozen II, they (Chris, co-director Eric Kimelton, and producer Scott Seibold) sat around and wondered if they could make a similar documentary but for A Goofy Movie, one of their favorite Disney films.
Into the Unknown: The Making of Frozen II got the gears turning for Not Just A Goof, and the team would have a full circle moment when they had a screening for a work-in-progress version of the film. During that screening, the team got the chance to tell Frozen II director Chris Buck, “Our film wouldn’t have existed without your documentary.”
Not Just A Goof has similar DNA to Into the Unknown: The Making of Frozen II and Waking Sleeping Beauty (Disney Legend Don Hahn is the executive producer of Not Just A Goof).
Not Just A Goof also explores how A Goofy Movie was Jeffrey Katzenberg’s attempt to see if Disney could make Disney-quality animated films on a lower budget. The question is explored within the film as the team grapples with a smaller budget, crew, and resources. It also leads to a global production for A Goofy Movie, with animation being done in France, Canada, Australia, and even in a freelance capacity in California.
Not Just A Goof is also candid about the disappointing reception that A Goofy Movie received at the time of release. Yet years later, A Goofy Movie would be a film of a generation. The doc truly is a triumph that showcases the entire cycle of a film from production to initial disappointment to becoming a beloved classic and cultural touchstone.
A quote within Not Just A Goof rings true, especially after watching the film. Goofy voice actor Bill Farmer says, “Disney didn’t know what they had.”
Now they finally do.
Not Just A Goof was directed by Christopher Ninness and Eric Kimelton, who also co-wrote the film alongside Mason Trueblood. Produced by Scott Seibold and executive-produced by Don Hahn. The original score was composed by Cameron Chambers, with original animation provided by Venturia Animation Studios.
Not Just A Goof is now streaming on Disney+.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
