MovieChat Forums > A Goofy Movie (1995) Discussion > The Novelization

The Novelization

posted 14 years ago by angmc43
8 replies | jump to latest

I recently ordered the novelization. I knew it was a pre-teen Scholastic book with a rather simple narrative (several times new dialogue is used to spell out a scene), and rarely any detail (Pete's discovery to Goofy isn't set at a hot tub). It was not a regular novelization with new scenes or major in-depth portrayals of characters (Bobby barely features at all).
Still, I found the book interesting. Several plot-lines left standing were quickly resolved. 'The next morning Bigfoot was gone. Goofy found the car keys and gathered their gear. Then they headed to a restaurant.' Pete gets an interesting- if slightly OOC- resolution. The sight of Goofy and Max on TV gives him an epiphany: '"What do you know?...Maybe there is more to this love thing after all."'

Max is portrayed more kindly. True, he still has his Possum Park meltdown and his angry faceoff with dad in the river. But his disgusted 'Forget it!' after Goofy shrugs him is omitted (instead, it's 'Aw, Gee'). His reaction to Goofy's 'Hi Dad soup' story is given compassionate thought:

'Max and Goofy never did anything together. Max didn't want to. And really, all Goofy wanted to do was hang out. Why am I so mean to him? Max wondered.'

His talk with PJ at the Neptune Inn is reversed. In the movie, PJ is pessimistic about Max's map-change, with Max on defense. The novelization has PJ the one all excited about Max's plan, with Max getting a change of heart:

'I don't know," Max kicked a pebble. "Things are different now. Dad and I are having a good time. This trip means a lot to him.'

But perhaps the most interesting highlight is the description of Angry-Goofy's thought-process after Max orders the left to LA. I earlier knew that Max's betrayal might mean an irreparable rift between father and son IF Goofy had parked the car. But the novelization suggests something even darker:

'Goofy swerved to the left at the last second. His heart dropped. They were on the road to LA. Pete was right. Love didn't mean a thing. You had to be tough. Mean. Kids had to be afraid of you.'

Ouch...Kid book, or not, this 'Goofy embraces the Dark Side' is rather effective, ain't it?

'"Your laugh runs in the family," Roxanne told Max.
Max smiled. He was glad it did...glad about the vacation...glad about Roxanne.
But most of all, Max was glad to be a Goof. Just like his dad.'

[–] ScorpioGirl1987 14 years ago

I recently ordered the novelization.

There's a novelization? Sweet! I should check it out!

I earlier knew that Max's betrayal might mean an irreparable rift between father and son IF Goofy had parked the car.

o.o I hadn't even thought about what would've happened if Goofy parked. Was that a theory of yours, or did you hear it somewhere?

[–] angmc43 14 years ago

o.o I hadn't even thought about what would've happened if Goofy parked. Was that a theory of yours, or did you hear it somewhere?

It's something I thought up back in '95 (when it came on video; I missed out on the theatrical release, even though the Disney Channel practically spoiled the movie by constantly playing the 'I2I' sequence during commercials).
I imagined a scenario where Max realizes his dad's knowledge of the map change MUCH earlier (while they are still at the Inn), and finds that he has a really hard choice: Go to Lake Destiny and lose Roxanne forever OR go to LA and thereby put a wall between himself and his father forever.

[–] ScorpioGirl1987 14 years ago

Ok...I just read the novelization, so i can finally officially reply to the first post!

It was not a regular novelization with new scenes

There were a couple of new scenes: PJ chasing after his dad after he drives the RV off (Poor PJ...), and Powerline complimenting Goofy on his "dance moves".

To me, the book felt kind of rushed. But, whatever. I've read "rushier" novelizations.

[–] angmc43 14 years ago

It appears you were pleased with it. I'm glad I didn't influence you into some disappointment.

There were a couple of new scenes: PJ chasing after his dad after he drives the RV off (Poor PJ...)

I didn't notice that one. One wishes PJ ended up with the Goofs. He would definitely have a better time and would have been more susceptible to Goofy's attempts at bonding than Max originally was.
I remember back in O RV, I NV U, when PJ felt neglected by both his dad and Max, Goofy gave him something of a father-son talk about no matter how poor he might think himself, he's a great kid.

[–] ScorpioGirl1987 14 years ago

Yeah. lol

Hey, angmc43, I sent you a PM. Did you get it?

[–] angmc43 14 years ago

If its a repeated 'Goofy is poor on compromise' and a link to the LOST fanart...yes.

If it's not, then it's the opposite answer.

[–] ScorpioGirl1987 14 years ago

Ok, well, how was i to know that you received it twice? You didn't say you got it!

[–] super-staff 13 years ago

Huh. This is very interesting.

Thanks for sharing!