GOAT – Movie Review
Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind The Spider-Verse films, are doing some really cool things in the animated movie space, creating visually dynamic, unique, and vibrant movies that blend art styles and new worlds that really explode off of the cinema screen. And in their newly produced film, GOAT, the animation team and director Tyree Dillihay inject these dynamic visuals into a sports film that is an endearing, exciting underdog tale.
GOAT follows Will (Caleb McLaughlin), a young goat who, in this anthropomorphic world, is considered a ‘small’ – something that seemingly hinders his opportunities to pursue his dream of being a roarball player like his idol, black panther and roarball star, Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). Even though Will is incredibly hard working and talented, he is often pushed away from any chances because of his size. Until he is recorded one day winning a brutal one-on-one game of roarball against an internet star, which is subsequently seen by the owner of the Vineland Thorns, who gives Will the chance to live out his dream. But, the journey to success doesn’t come easy for the small goat, who must work even harder than anticipated to make a name for himself.
The sports movie and the underdog (or perhaps, under-goat?) narrative have cinematically gone hand in hand for decades, and while GOAT doesn’t necessarily do anything to reinvent the narrative structure, what it does incredibly well is make it entertaining and accessible for audiences of all ages. Will is a wonderfully likeable character, with substantial backstory provided about his emotionally tough upbringing to really make him easy to root for. McLaughlin’s voice performance also adds an electric charisma to Will that enhances that likeability.
In fact, the entire voice cast of GOAT (which features a wonderfully impressive lineup including Aaron Pierre, David Harbour, Nicola Coughlan, Nick Kroll, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, NBA star Stephen Curry and many, many more), all bring such a joyous feeling to the film that works beautifully in tandem with those dynamic and vibrant visuals. That is one of GOAT’s biggest strengths – it’s just such a joyous and fun experience.
As Will’s journey unfolds over the film, the predictability of the underdog story, which also delves into themes of the disparities between athletes and the business of sport, internet culture, and the attempted reclamation of the “golden eras”, is one of the film’s slight weaknesses. For the younger audiences experiencing the film, it may work a little more due to the lack of inundation into this genre and its themes and tropes. For the adults watching, it does feel a bit more ‘same-same’ as many of the similar stories that have come before.
But, it’s the animation, especially in the insanely exhilarating roarball scenes where GOAT truly shines. Roarball is a mixture of basketball and Ninja Warrior in various different settings and locations that are catered to the animal’s teams. The uniqueness of each court and the intensity of the game itself, plus the way Dillihay moves the camera around the action makes for an experience that truly has never been seen before on cinema screens, and that is truly exciting.
GOAT doesn’t stray far from the formulaic structure of the underdog story. But for its intended, younger target audience, it will be an exciting, vibrant, entertaining introduction into the world of sports films and the inspiring tales they can tell – even with anthropomorphic animals as the character at the centre of it all.
GOAT is in Australian cinemas March 12
