How to Hook Up Your Home Theater

...When THIS Goofy masterpiece showed up on his big screen TV. What grabbed my attention, surprisingly, was NOT the great (better than just about ANYONE makes today, in 2019, when this review was written). No, what caught my brain was something through my EAR! It was the sound of a voice. A voice of MANY voices I knew. It was the Narrator on this latter-day Goofy "How-To" cartoon! It was the amazing Corey Burton, who by far outclasses ANY Voice Actor I can think of, if for no other reason than Corey's the man who gets called when Hollywood needs an "old-time" movie, radio or TV voice. Among other things. I don't know how he does it, I never have. But I was introduced to him some years ago (and he was just a "regular guy"). I was astounded! But you're wasting your time if ya listen for him. Just know he's there.

What a treat to go to "National Treasure 2" (itself an escapist ecstasy) and find this brand-spanking-new Disney short preceding it. A beautifully done addition to the countless "How to" Disney cartoons in which The Goof starred in his heyday, it shows that a quarter-century after their creation, the Disney cartoon characters still have lifeblood (and adrenaline) in them.

An absolute hoot, the cartoon depicts Goofy jonesing for a full-screen TV to watch football games, and thus entering a Best Buy-like, all-encompassing electronics store. From there, the laughs only come more quickly.

I hope this inspires The Disney Co. to reprise a regular series of cartoon shorts, as the Warner Bros. group briefly did in the 1990's with a too-short but delightful series of Bugs Bunny and Road Runner cartoons. If you make 'em, we'll still watch 'em!!

Walt Disney's Heaven-residing spirit must be VERY happy right now! For the most worthy successor to his genius for knowing what makes people happy, John Lasseter from Pixar, has started the ball rolling on bringing back the truly wonderful spirit of the classic Disney 2D animation of the '40s & '50s by releasing Disney's brand new "National Treasure" companion short "How To Hook Up Your Home Theater", starring Goofy! And this truly is Goofy as portrayed 60 years ago, and every little detail of his environment is true to his time.

You must know I'm one who's life was made much happier by falling in love with everything Walt created. And I also remember comparisons written a few generations back comparing Disney cartoons with Warner Bros., and how most of them agreed how much better Bugs and all his gang were...and I agreed, mostly, except when it came to Donald and especially Goofy. Well, I'll swear on a Bible in a courtroom, whatEVER your cartoon preferences have been THIS one will have you almost literally rolling in the aisles! It made this 61 year-old tech geek applaud and get tears in his eyes(in public!) I was laughing so hard, and so often, while being entranced by this animated treasure! And best of all, this ode to guys and our love of new gadgets was directed by....a woman! No WONDER it works so well! So, as I like to say about entertainment I love: "If this doesn't get you laughing I'll bury ya myself!"

How to Hook Up Your Home Theater (2007)

*** (out of 4)

Goofy made his return to the big screen with this 7-minute short that really captures the spirit of the older cartoons. Goofy grows tired of watching football on his old, B&W television so he goes to a local store to upgrade everything and soon finds himself buried behind dozens of boxes trying to hook it all up. Back in the day Goofy made all sorts of "How to..." films but this here is certainly one of the best. I think those who have actually tried hooking up any type of home theater are the ones who are going to get the greatest kick out of this because it perfectly captures how frustrating it can be trying to put the thing together. The jokes with all the wires needing to be plugged in and the size of the various televisions were very funny. Another highlight comes when Goofy is waiting for the delivery men who of course don't show up on time. I'm sure kids will get a few laughs out of the physical comedy but this is clearly aimed at adults and I'm sure they're the ones who will enjoy this the most.

If only all the old Goofy cartoon shorts were this funny! This is a modern version of the old Walt Disney films that featured Goofy illustrating how to do something. Decades ago, Goofy starred in many films like this--including ones on driving or skiing. But this one's crazy sensibilities beat the old ones--like they infused the old cartoons with crack.

The film consists of Goofy buying every possible expensive TV accessory--a screen as big as a movie theater's, DVD, Blueray and a zillion other expensive and not exactly necessary things. He buys them from what appears to be a Best Buy-type store and the whole thing is wildly confusing and strange. And, when it's all finished, Goofy is stuck with a zillion remote controls! Overall, fantastic animation quality, great writing and a zaniness that you will love--hopefully this is a sign of yet more to come.