How to Hook Up Your Home Theater

Love animation and Disney, have done from an early age and always will do without fail. Goofy has always been an appealing and funny character, one of Disney's best. And the 'How To...' series from the 1940s-60s, done in a demonstrative-documentarian approach, did a great job showing that, as well as entertaining and educating through its clever use of narration which was like presenting a documentary telling one how to do it while Goofy demonstrated on screen and failing often endearingly and hilariously to do so.

Goofy's first solo cartoon in a long time, 'How to Hook Up Your Home Theater' is something of a little gem. As others have said, Disney has returned nostalgically and affectionately to its much-missed roots and the spirit of the original 'How to' series is captured while having fresh modern touches as well to make it more up to date. It is as great as the best of the cartoons in the series, if maybe not quite as fresh in some of the content (the subject is more original though, with it being more up to date in a way, than any of those in the old 'How to...' series).

The animation, with innovative and ingenious use of paperless animation (an experiement and one that paid off), is an improvement over the still great animation of the old 'How to...' cartoons. It is as vibrantly coloured and detailed in backgrounds, with just as many and even more imaginative touches in the visuals, but much smoother in drawing. The music is every bit as characterful and cleverly orchestrated, while blending very well with the more contemporary setting.

'How to Hook Up Your Home Theater's' demonstrative-documentarian format doesn't feel too routine or tired, formulaic perhaps (true of the old cartoons as well) but there is enough variety to stop repetition from creeping in. The narration is sharp and thoughtful, it and its interaction with Goofy and his ineptitude is very funny yet one is educated as well in a way. Those wanting to do what Goofy does, doesn't know how and messes up will relate. The physical comedy is beautifully timed and even funnier, like the wire and television size gags, agree too that the awaiting delivery that is also relatable for anybody who's been through it themselves.

Much light-hearted energy and never overdone yet witty zaniness can be found and Goofy is both immensely endearing and hilarious. 'How to Hook Up Your Home Theater' nails what the 'How to...' were so successful in what they did with Goofy's character, an appealing yet clumsy everyman and one that one feels for underneath the hilarious clumsiness. The voice acting is also fine, the spirit of the original voice actors by two immensely talented and deservedly prolific voice actors (very versatile in the case of Corey Burton) replicated but not impersonated thankfully spot on.

In summary, great. 9/10

...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.

things that has come out of the Disney animations studios in a LONG time, I'm sick of all the 3D stuff give me some good old looking animation (even if it was produced with 50% less paper), this is what Disney was built on, and what they do best. This is modern old school stuff, a great update of a classic. Awesome cartoon!!!!! I was pleasantly surprise when I sat down to see National Treasure 2, and there was a cartoon, I really expected one of the classics, I really thought they just cleaned up something from the vault until it started, then WOW! I think that Disney would be well suited to get back to their roots with this type of animation, and the story was one of the best of the old "How to..." with a great modern twist, I'd go back to see the movies, just to watch the cartoon again!

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.

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.