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
