Fair use from Los Angeles Times

To be honest, I could probably count the number of basketball games I’ve watched on one hand. I’m not really a basketball fan. Yet even I was relatively excited for “GOAT” because it’s backed by big names like producer and cast member Steph Curry (probably my favorite player, even with my limited knowledge) and the studio that made “KPop Demon Hunters” and the “Spider-Verse” movies (some of my favorite animated films). Directed by Tyree Dillihay, “GOAT” is a classic underdog story, or under-goat story in this case. Yet, it still found a way to be creative and unique.

The movie focuses on Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), a goat who wants to play this movie’s version of basketball. Will Harris, very much like Stephen Curry, is incredibly skilled at “Roarball” but is smaller than all of the other players. However, just when Will’s luck seems to run out, he goes viral and gets signed to his favorite team, the “Vineland Thorns.” Once he’s signed, he has to learn how to compete with the other animals who are larger than he is and learn to work with his very unique and hilarious team. The ending was very predictable for anyone who has watched any underdog story. But even with a predictable ending, “GOAT” still had one last surprise I never saw coming.

For me, the first quarter of the movie was a bit bland. Early on, I felt like “GOAT” was just copying “Zootopia’s” very successful concept of showing how animals would make their own society based on our world. I guess I at least liked the animation of “GOAT” more than “Zootopia.” It definitely felt like the movie was still finding its footing, which is ironic considering goats are well known for their sturdiness. However, once the actual basketball aspects started, the movie really started to differentiate itself and shine. The animation and cinematography were perfect. What makes it perfect is how it masterfully mixes the physicality and style of basketball and the actual nature of animals. With animation, you can have a panther dunk a basketball with enough detail that it seems realistic while also being incredibly unrealistic. Animation doesn’t need to follow the rules of the real world, like gravity, for example. It gets a bit over the top at certain parts, but the movie also constantly utilizes both really fast-paced animation and slow motion. The mostly hip-hop-based soundtrack also helped make some of the “in-game” moments feel more real and hyped up.

One of the other things that got me hooked on the movie around the second quarter is when the rest of Will’s team is introduced. Each of the team members is so likable and even more so when playing off each other. There were several times I wanted to burst out laughing in the theater. And yes, most of them were because Modo (Nick Kroll) is such a crazy and unpredictable lizard man. Just because a movie is animated doesn’t make it any easier to cast people, and the main reason for that is that not all actors are good voice actors. Even so, they did a very good job casting voice actors.

For what I consider a simpler movie, “GOAT” actually has a bit of depth to it that I didn’t expect. It talks about what it’s like to be an athlete in the modern world. How players have to deal with the constant pressure of social media or with balancing family and the game. It also gives insight into what it’s like to be a player who’s been tossed around teams as if they were nothing, and what it’s like to be the opposite, a legend who everyone says should retire. “GOAT” also almost gives a commentary on how some team owners might not care about the wins, but only the money they make.

Overall, “GOAT” is an enjoyable movie with an enjoyable cast and shown through some really spectacular animation. It’s entertaining for nearly everyone. “GOAT” is obviously marketed more towards kids, but I think it’s still an experience for all ages. It also doesn’t require you to be a fan of basketball; I wasn’t. “GOAT” isn’t the greatest of all time, but it’s still a good player.

“GOAT:” ★★★★☆