GOAT

Positive—I am giving “GOAT” a “better than average” moral rating and 4 out of 5 on the quality scale.

Well, GOAT was just about one of the biggest surprises of the year so far. It’s a sports movie focusing on animals and the title is a play on words with the actual title for the “GOAT” in basketball. I thought “Ok, I get it, ” at first. But then I actually saw it and you know what? Sony played really it’s game well.

Ok, maybe it’s not a slam dunk. But considering this is a premise we’ve all seen before, the classic sport-style “follow your dreams” and “don’t give up” message kids movie, GOAT took a look at it and decided to give it a fresh new look. And the end result is very fun, engaging, and packs a visual punch.

What GOAT understands more than anything, something I thought it would slip up on in the court, is that behind every good sports movie are a league of likable characters you want to root for who go through strong changes as the story progresses, so much that winning the game becomes necessary for a satisfying payoff. Will Harris is a fun main protagonist. The way he interacts with his team ultimately helps them to become stronger on the whole. But his relationship with his idol, Jett Fillmore, really solidified this film’s heart. Two people who see the game two different ways, each wanting to get something out of it, but ultimately coming to see that there’s more to Roar-ball then either of them see. I won’t dare tell you what goes on and why, as that’s a part of what makes this film really special. But it does make the film really special.

On the top of that, GOAT on the whole, is a complete delight. The humor most often lands and stays properly up to the date with the current trends in sports and the internet, the plot moves by at a brisk pace, the music sells the atmosphere of a B-ball match, and it continues Sony’s trend of treating its visuals like its personal toys, experimenting and creating some surreal, energized, and creative sequences and images that don’t let up as the film moves on. If you can see this on the big screen, it’s recommended. It’s well worth the price of admission.

From a Christian standpoint, I was surprised at not just the fact that much of its heart was rooted in Biblical values, but how strongly they come across. There’s nothing wrong with playing the game to prove you can do it well, better than everyone else at that. But as the film goes on and it’s characters develop, they also come to see how not only can they use their strengths to overcome adversity, but one in particular finds out how when you choose to value others besides yourself, it becomes easier to rely on them. In basketball, winning isn’t about seeking personal glory, but about denying yourself for the greater good of your team. Teamwork and selflessness are concepts highly driven home in the Bible in passages such as Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Philippians 2:3.

Elsewhere, the way the film’s plot unfolds should also let children know that they’re “idols, ” in sports or whatever, are really just people at the end of the day and could use a bit of help, as do all of us. And it also gives a glimpse into how social media and the internet really idolize people’s appearances above all else, and how if we let that consume us like it does everyone else, then we end of conceited and neglect to serve the people right in front of us.

Content-wise, GOAT is pretty mild fare. The only places where the PG rating is accurate include occasional moments of bathroom humor such as when a character makes it look like he’s urinating on a drawing for a few seconds or when a young girl hippo lets gas in a character’s breathing mask. Language is only as strong as “stick it right up your cloacae.” After that phrase, it cuts to two news reporters, one of them saying “can he say that on TV, ” and another responding with “it’s the closest he can get to saying butt…” before getting cut off by a loud honking sound. Elsewhere, we hear “get off my cloacae” and “coach the scat out of you.” There’s is a running joke on how Will’s landlord keeps having kids, but there’s no jokes about the sexual side of that. In fact, I’m surprised at how much this film avoids innuendo in general. We also see some peril during the games, though no one dies or is critically injured (until the end when SPOILER WARNING some

Despite those brief fumbles that some parents with small children might want to look out for, GOAT still plays it good and clean, especially compared to the competition (Wuthering Heights and Crime 101 come to mind), and most Christians will see it’s not on offense against them and their values. If anything, its sacrificial heart revoking around a team trying to work together to bring their fans glory only upholds them. Couple that with some imaginative animation, fun characters and wit, and an atmosphere that captures the magic of the game, GOAT is no doubt a family event that’ll enthrall, charm, and even leave you feeling a bit uplifted.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4

…there’s something to be said for telling a predictable/traditional story well, and while Goat is going down a rather safe path, there’s a lot of wit, charm and warmth to be found… “GOAT” isn’t doing anything new story-wise, but it’s a fun and engaging underdog (or undergoat?) sports comedy that shines thanks to its wonderful production design and animation. …

…disappointing… It’s not as funny as it thinks it is and tiresome in its overly familiar redemption arc. …Despite a wondrously textured, kinetic world and some interesting oddball characters, the movie is undone by a predictable, saccharine script. …

…Teaches a good lesson… about perseverance, teamwork, and why you should never underestimate yourself… stunning animation, hilarious sense of humor, and big heart… to keep you entertained …

…It’s a story with few surprises and mostly rudimentary emotional concepts, but is enlivened by artwork with colorful texture and a dynamic animation style. …

…a vibrant surprise… the joy of the film lies in its dreamscape design, in the funky cut and thrust of its patter, and in its touching off-center sincerity. …

…Vivid and amusing… The film is better-looking than it is written, although there are funny take-offs on such things as hip-hop videos and cheesy sports promotional films. …

…This loud, chaotic and unlovable animated kids’ comedy feels as though it is bordering on AI slop, algorithmically generated and instantly familiar from Zootropolis, Sing and other movies with talking animals. …

…Surprisingly nuanced, gorgeously crafted… all about not judging books by their covers…

…Lively and fun sports comedy scores big points for a creature cast to remember… It is also a familiar world of fancy sneakers, hip hop music, lots of bling and other colorful additions to this particular universe. …