Reviews
GOAT
GOAT will undoubtedly be labelled Generation Alpha’s version of Space Jam, with its targeted references to meme culture and the social media trends younger audiences eagerly jump onto. While the comparison is apt, it is also the highest compliment the film can receive. To be mentioned alongside a cross generational favourite like Space Jam speaks directly to the quality of GOAT rather than simple imitation.
GOAT, directed by debutant Tyree Dillihay is a story about Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), a literal small goat trying to become a professional ROARball player. ROARball is essentially basketball played in wild Mortal Kombat style arenas that change throughout the game, each one filled with hazards that could cause death at any moment. Up to this point ROARball has been exclusively for “bigs”. Think of elephants, rhinos, or giraffes and you are along the right lines, so given Will’s lack of height and relatively scrawny demeanour his dream looks impossible.
That is until a spare roster spot becomes available on his hometown team, the Thorns. On the surface they are a team of misfits. You have Lenny (Steph Curry), a giraffe who has been traded away from every team in the league, Archie (David Harbour), an Indian rhino who is the biggest softy imaginable with his infant children somehow more intimidating than him, Olivia (Nicola Coughlin), an ostrich and former first-overall draft pick who has never reached the expected heights, and Modo (Nick Kroll), a creepy Komodo dragon who has offered very little on the court.
The group is led by Will’s hero Jett Filmore (Gabrielle Union), a black leopard who, despite being considered the greatest of all time in the sport, has yet to win a Claw, ROARball’s equivalent of an NBA Championship. Without a Claw to her name and with talk of her becoming washed, that reputation is under threat. Rising star Mane Attraction from the Thorns’ rival team is already staking his claim, having secured a Claw and the current MVP award.
With her last shot at the championship on the line, and despite her frustrations at Will joining the roster and her disdain for the rest of the squad, Jett must put aside her ego for the sake of the team and try to bring the title home. It is the typical rags to riches story for Will and a redemption arc for Jett, but GOAT packs a surprising amount of heart along the way, even delivering genuinely emotional moments. The messaging may be simple, yet its core idea about celebrating our differences rather than viewing them as weaknesses feels particularly pertinent, not just for children watching but for parents as well, especially in today’s world.
As expected from Sony Animation projects by now, GOAT is visually spectacular. It uses the same animation style as the Spider-Verse films, with sensational action sequences bursting off the screen in vibrant colour that both adults and children can enjoy. The ROARball sequences are a highlight, with animals getting their ankles broken by killer crossovers and delivering poster worthy dunks that would rack up millions of views on YouTube compilations. And, for once I am also happy to report the 3D is not a gimmick. Here it genuinely elevates the visuals and the overall experience.
Caleb McLaughlin, in his first feature length lead role, is brilliant. Voice acting is difficult at the best of times, let alone when leading a major film for the first time, but McLaughlin captures Will’s heart perfectly. The same can be said for the rest of the cast, each bringing distinct personality to their roles and creating a thoroughly enjoyable experience. You can tell they had a great time recording it, particularly during the animal related humour, of which there is plenty. For me it worked, and the children in my screening were howling.
While the final act does feel slightly rushed after the careful and engaging character development, GOAT remains an extremely fun and entertaining ride that children and adults alike will connect with. Family films often lean too far toward one audience or the other, yet for the most part GOAT gets the balance right and is very much worth a trip to the cinema.