FILM REVIEW: GOAT (PG) ESP RATING: 4/5

A visually dazzling, funny, and heartfelt sports romp.

There’s something instantly comforting about a classic underdog story, and Goat leans into that idea from the very first whistle.

This animated sports comedy follows Will, a small goat with very big ambitions – namely, becoming a professional player in the fast-paced sport of Roarball.

When he’s unexpectedly given the opportunity to join a professional team made up of far larger, more physically imposing animals, Will quickly discovers that determination alone might not be enough to win over his sceptical teammates.

Voiced by Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), Will is supported by an impressively stacked wildlife cast that includes Golden State Warriors’ NBA legend Stephen Curry – who also produces – along with Aaron Pierre, Gabrielle Union, David Harbour, Patton Oswalt and Jennifer Hudson – who all bring plenty of personality to the colourful roster of characters.

One thing that stands out immediately is just how good this film looks. The visuals are genuinely stunning – which should come as no surprise considering it comes from the studio behind visually ambitious projects like Into the Spider-Verse and K-Pop Demon Hunters.

The animation is energetic, expressive, and packed with detail, particularly during the on-court sequences, which burst with movement and style.

Where Goat is perhaps less groundbreaking is in its storytelling.

This is a very formulaic film – the classic ‘small underdog with big dreams’ narrative that we’ve seen many times before. It’s easy to predict the beats, and at times it feels reminiscent of other sports-focused family films. Space Jam certainly springs to mind. That said, familiarity isn’t necessarily a negative. Younger audiences (in particular) often enjoy knowing roughly where a story is heading, and Goat keeps its momentum moving at a pace that never lets attention drift.

The humour lands consistently well, with plenty of jokes aimed squarely at children but enough for adults to appreciate too. The runtime is also ideal for families, making it a comfortable cinema outing without testing anyone’s patience.

Because the story feels so familiar, I don’t imagine Goat will reach the same level of cultural buzz or long-lasting hype as other experimental animated hits, which stood out precisely because they felt so new and different. Goat plays things much safer.

That said, I had a genuinely good time with it – even if I’m clearly not the target audience.

The real review came from my seven-year-old son, who gave it a glowing five out of five. And honestly, that tells you everything you really need to know.

This may not reinvent the rulebook, but this is packed with enough heart to make it a very enjoyable family watch.

Which makes Goat worth bleating about.

ESP Rating: 4/5

Mike Clarke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggZA2oi8S5s

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Voice Cast: Caleb Mclaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, David Harbour, Steph Curry, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Luke Cimity, Nicola Coughlan, Jelly Roll, Patton Oswalt, Jennifer Hudson, Wayne Knight & Dwyane Wade

Running Time: 1 Hr 40 Mins

Director: Tyree Dillihay

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

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