Goat Movie Review: A spirited underdog sports tale that scores big on fun

Story: A small goat, Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), dreams of becoming a professional ‘roarball’ (a more intense and full-contact version of basketball) player. But the sport is dominated by towering and muscular animals such as horses, rhinos, panthers, and giraffes. When Will finally lands a shot at the big league, he faces resistance from his own team, especially the star player Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). Will it be a slam dunk or an airball for him?Review: Ever since Will and his mother (Jennifer Hudson) watch champion Jett in action, the young kid (literally, since he’s a goat) dreams of playing like his idol. But as a teenager, he is constantly ridiculed because “smalls can’t ball,” bullied by bigger animals every time he steps onto the court to practise.Meanwhile, Jett’s team, The Thorns, keeps losing because she is a self-serving player who hogs the glory and never passes. The rest are either distracted or uninspired: Lenny Williamson (Stephen Curry), a giraffe more interested in rapping; Olivia (Nicola Coughlan), an ostrich obsessed with her phone and online chatter; Archie Everhard (David Harbour), a rhino dad more focused on protecting his twin daughters than the game; and the flamboyant Komodo dragon, Modo Olachenko (Nick Kroll).Their proboscis monkey coach, Dennis Cooper (Patton Oswalt), hardly helps — his version of a pep talk is, “An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime, but public humiliation is forever.” Team owner Florence Everson (Jenifer Lewis), a warthog, cares only about profit and publicity. When Will challenges the stallion Man Attraction (Aaron Pierre) to a match, he loses the bet but becomes a viral sensation. That turns out to be enough to earn him a sixth-player spot, giving the Thorns a fighting chance at the coveted Claws title.Directed by Tyree Dillihay and written by Aaron Buchsbaum, Teddy Riley and Nicolas Curcio, the animated film is an underdog — or undergoat — tale that doesn’t break new ground but is lively and entertaining enough to hold attention. The narrative moves at a brisk pace with no real lull. While the CGI is spectacular, it’s the hyperkinetic animation and sharp character designs that make it a riveting watch. There’s undeniable fun in seeing muscular animals play with exaggerated, almost gravity-defying moves.The story leans on familiar underdog tropes — the talented but dismissed athlete, unwavering self-belief, teammates eventually rallying behind him, and rousing speeches. Yet, it sprinkles in humour effectively. Cooper finally stepping up as a tough coach, even spraying the big cat Jett with water to discipline her, is hilariously staged. The mixed-gender team dynamic and Will aspiring to be like a female sportsperson feel organic rather than forced. The film also nods to the cruelty of spectators and the media. Will isn’t the only one boxed in by expectations: Jett grapples with ageism, while Olivia struggles with self-esteem under relentless trolling.The voice acting is consistently strong. Caleb McLaughlin and Gabrielle Union stand out in every scene, whether goofy or emotional. Jenifer Lewis brings comically menacing flair to Florence Everson, while David Harbour, Aaron Pierre, Stephen Curry, and Nicola Coughlan deliver solid support.GOAT may not be the G.O.A.T in terms of premise, but its spirited storytelling, vibrant animation, and performances make it a slam dunk.