Goat Film Review: A Chaotic Animated Tale That Misses the Mark
The new animated feature Goat arrives with a promising real-life inspiration but ultimately delivers a noisy and chaotic experience that struggles to connect emotionally. Despite its link to basketball superstar Stephen Curry, this kids' comedy feels algorithmically generated and lacks the heart needed to stand out.
Inspired by Stephen Curry's Journey
At its core, Goat draws from the early career of NBA icon Stephen Curry, who faced doubts about his size and physique before becoming a professional legend. Curry serves as a producer and performer in the film, yet this connection fails to translate into a compelling narrative. The story follows Will Harris, a diminutive goat voiced by Caleb McLaughlin, who dreams of playing professional "roarball," a fiercer and faster version of basketball dominated by larger animals like rhinos and horses.
Will's hero is Jet, a panther voiced by Gabrielle Union, who is the star player of the Thorns team and nearing retirement. When Will gets a chance to join the Thorns, he faces ridicule and underestimation but remains determined to prove himself. This underdog plot is familiar, echoing themes from films like Zootropolis and Sing, but it feels tired and by-the-numbers here.
Overwhelming Noise and Lack of Soul
The film's biggest flaw is its deafening and relentless pace. Roarball games are portrayed at lightning speed, with courts shifting from jungle settings to arctic ice experiences, creating a sensory overload that drowns out any decent jokes or emotional moments. Watching Goat is compared to standing next to a helicopter taking off, leaving viewers with little more than a headache by the end.
For a movie targeted at children under eight, there is a surprising emphasis on mobile phones and social media, with characters constantly checking their devices. This detracts from the potential for genuine storytelling and makes the film feel out of touch with its intended audience. The voice acting, including performances from McLaughlin and Union, brings a degree of charm, but it is not enough to salvage the overall experience.
Release Details and Final Verdict
Goat is set for release on 13 February in the UK and US, followed by a 26 March debut in Australia. Despite its inspiration and decent vocal performances, the film falls short of being memorable or engaging. It lacks the heart and soul needed to resonate, feeling more like AI-generated content than a thoughtfully crafted animation. In the end, Goat is not the greatest of all time—or even of half-term—but rather a loud and unlovable addition to the genre.
