Overview
An animated basketball feature inspired by the talents of four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry might raise expectations for a slam dunk, yet “GOAT” falls unexpectedly short. Although it showcases a vividly crafted universe and introduces a cast of quirky characters, the movie suffers from a clichéd and overly sweet storyline. Predictability reigns, making it as easy to anticipate the plot twists as it is to watch Curry effortlessly sink a three-pointer.
Plot Summary
The film follows Will Harris, a goat with dreams of hitting it big on the basketball scene, voiced by Caleb McLaughlin from “Stranger Things”. Will is a diminutive orphan who struggles to pay his rent while working as a delivery driver for a local diner. Though he’s skilled from the outside, he needs to work on his inside game to truly excel.
Set in the chaotic urban environment of Vineland—complete with graffiti and overgrown vines—the narrative hinges on Will’s obsession with the local basketball team, the Thorns, and his hero, Jett Fillmore, a leopard voiced by Gabrielle Union and known for being the league’s top scorer. Jett’s team, however, is far from stellar despite his achievements.
Game Mechanics
The sport featured in the film is called roarball, a chaotic hybrid of basketball that pits various animals against each other in a rough, unregulated competition. The championship trophy, known as the Claw, is highly coveted within this dangerous arena where threats come not just from the tough opponents but also from the treacherous environment. The film features extreme levels of play across diverse settings, including arenas themed around lava, swamps, icy tundras, and desert storms, illustrating the intense emphasis on homecourt advantage in this sport.
Character Dynamics
Character dynamics are also intriguing, as the movie divides its inhabitants into “bigs”—featuring formidable animals like rhinos and bears—and “smalls”, which include animals like Will. The prejudice against the smaller creatures teaches Will that he might not belong. However, with a viral video propelling him into the spotlight, he becomes a controversial recruit for the Thorns, much to the disdain of Jett, who is stuck in a rut and feels threatened by the potential for change to her established role on the team.
Narrative Arc
What follows is a familiar narrative arc reminiscent of classics like “The Karate Kid” or “Air Bud”, as Will develops through hard work and self-belief, taught valuable lessons about teamwork along the way. Yet the relentless violence on the court feels excessive, far from the inspiring tone the creators perhaps anticipated. Additionally, product placements for brands like Mercedes and Under Armor inject unnecessary commercialism into the storyline, diluted with trivial slogans.
Character Highlights
While the Thorns team includes an eclectic mix of characters, each bringing their own quirks—such as a poignant rhino voiced by David Harbour and a whimsical ostrich voiced by Nicola Coughlan—the standout is undoubtedly Modo the Komodo dragon, an eccentric and lively addition showcasing personality and energy that could warrant his own spin-off.
Production and Reception
Produced by “Bob’s Burgers” alums Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette, “GOAT” aims to connect with a younger audience, utilizing contemporary digital culture, but ultimately misses the mark, falling flat on humor and innovation in its well-trodden redemption narrative.
Comparatively, while it might not be as notorious as Michael Jordan’s dismal live-action-animated combination in “Space Jam”, its failure to resonate lands it firmly in airball territory. “GOAT” is slated for release by Sony Pictures Animation on Friday, carrying a PG rating for mild language and humorous content, with a total runtime of 100 minutes. On a scale of one to four stars, it garners only one and a half.
