Could the greatest of all time (GOAT) be a literal scrawny, two-horned goat? “Goat” plays cleverly with its title, offering snappy animation along the journey of an underestimated contender fighting for his shot at greatness.
About the Movie
Will Harris, a small goat full of determination, has dreamed of playing “Roarball” his entire life. On the court, where Will lacks size, he makes up for it with skill. Yet there’s one problem: Roarball is a fast-paced, high-intensity game dominated by animals more aggressive, stronger, and, to Will’s disadvantage, bigger.
It seems Will’s dreams are coming true when he’s presented with the opportunity to play for the Thorns: his hometown’s professional Roarball team he’s rooted for since he was a kid. Except being a “small”, Will isn’t exactly welcomed to the sport with open arms, leading him to ride the bench eagerly awaiting an opportunity to prove himself.
Will may just be the missing piece the Thorns need to win their first championship and bring home “The Claw.” But can Will himself lead his team to victory, all while showing “smalls can ball”? Together, Will and his newfound teammates overcome setbacks, arising rivalries, and bumps along the way, until it all comes down to one high-stakes game with unexpected turns.
Worth Watching?
The film centered on the familiar yet crowd-pleasing underdog-against-all-odds trope, making the plot easy to follow and predictable. Though the movie is intended for younger audiences, the slight plot twists scattered throughout, like teammate injuries or player ejections, did little to take away the plot’s overall predictability.
While the movie had a simple plot, it offered engaging visuals and dynamic scenes on the court. Games came to life with fluid camera movement through vibrant animation, crafting drastically unique environments from game to game. As the camera zoomed in and out of a giraffe rebounding, a panther dunking, and even a komodo dragon dribbling, animators showcased their imagination, interpreting clever ways for different animals to play basketball. Transitioning perspectives with each movement, from player to ball, created elaborate sequences on the court.
After all, “Goat” is a movie anchored in basketball, and it delivers well in that department. Having been produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, the movie offers subtle nods to his own career. Much like Will Harris, Curry’s journey towards the NBA was faced with skepticism about his size. It was only when doubters discovered his far-out shooting abilities, similar to Will’s, that soon revolutionized the game. Aside from reflecting Curry’s journey, it also features cameos from current and past NBA and WNBA players. They include Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Love, Andre Iguodala, and Curry himself among others. These players have lended their voices as animated characters.
Verdict
Overall, “Goat” showcases Sony’s recent strength in creating stylized and expressive animation, offering a lively angle on basketball. Simplicity in plot allows for exciting scenes, making it the perfect movie for younger audiences and families to enjoy.
