Sony’s Goat is more than just a movie for the kids; it’s an underdog sports tale that speaks to every generation, from the mindless child to the jaded parent. It’s filled with humor as much as it’s filled with heart. The movie follows a young goat, Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), as he navigates a career as a professional roarball player. He’s been a fan of his home team for as long as he can remember and has always dreamed of playing in the big leagues. When Will overcomes all odds and is recruited to win the team a championship, he quickly realizes there are more forces at play in the game.
Goat is brought to us by the same studios behind Into the Spider-Verse and KPop Demon Hunters, so it’s no surprise that the animation in this movie is stunning. The colors are vivid, the motion is fluid, and not a single detail is wasted. There are the obvious details like the PlayStation product placement, but then there are also the minute details that show how many hours the animators put in. They clearly took their time animating the various textures of the different animals, and they don’t shy away from animating the carnal movements either. It’s seamless to look at, but watching Will move like an actual goat and Jett (Gabrielle Union) move like a real-life black panther is mesmerizing.
The scenery is just as noteworthy. The skilled animators have somehow managed to create a world where the animals have achieved civilization, yet everything feels normal. There’s public transit in the unforgiving jungle and massive stadiums in the vast tundra. As a bonus, each basketball court features a different landscape with unique obstacles that match its terrain.
The flashy animation is only complemented by the silly humor. Animal characters allow for a lot of puns, and Goat capitalizes on every available animal joke. The gags are very reminiscent of Zootopia, where the punchline is the animal itself. That said, the humor still works, especially when combined with basketball culture. There’s the titular gag of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) being a literal goat, but there’s more subtle humor as well. For example, one of the sports commentators is a ram named Chuck, and it’s nearly impossible not to imagine Charles Barkley whenever he speaks. Then there are the minuscule details, such as Will chewing on his mouthguard the same way producer and NBA champion Stephen Curry chews his on court. It’s tidbits like this that show how much time and effort went into this project, and they also prove that this movie is for basketball fans as much as it is for children.
Perhaps the most surprising element in Goat is the music. Most animated movies use musical numbers to keep children entertained, but these numbers feel natural and fit the plot. The lyrics add another layer of humor to the narrative while the music showcases the talents behind the production. The music production is crisp and immersive, and the beats are mature, with their tempo and melody changes. The songs are simple and catchy, but they’re also sure to teach the younger audiences a thing or two about rhythm and syncopation.
Second only to the animation is the voice acting behind this project. Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things, The Book of Clarence) voices the titular goat, Will Harris. This is only his second time voice acting—he previously voiced Young Gary in Final Space—but he sounds like an experienced professional with several projects under his belt. He expertly embodies Will’s youth and excitement, delivering each line with precision. McLauglin recently expressed an interest in portraying Miles Morales’ Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If he’s this talented a voice actor, he should have no issue with acting behind a mask. Tom Holland, for instance, impressed us with his voice acting in projects like Spies in Disguise and Onward after he impressed us with his Peter Parker Spider-Man.
Three-pointer god Stephen Curry wears multiple hats for this project, lending his voice as well and portraying Lenny Williamson, the giraffe, while acting as a producer. His voice honestly doesn’t stand out that much, but the fact that he blends into the role is a testament to his talent. Several other basketball stars voice characters in this movie, too. These are all-stars like Angel Reese, Kevin Love, and Dwyane Wade. Even Ayesha Curry joins the team with her performance as a sheep. These performances are strong and show no signs of amateurism, but they’re only bolstered by the accompanying performances of seasoned professionals who never miss. These professionals include Patton Oswalt, Aaron Pierre, Gabrielle Union, David Harbour, Nicola Coughlan, Nick Kroll, and the timelessly iconic Jennifer Hudson.
Goat is a wickedly fun movie, perfect for adults and children alike. The voice acting is superb, and the animation is phenomenal. It can work as a standalone film, but its brilliance leaves you thirsting for a sequel or a prequel, anything that can take place in this enchanting universe. Because it’s better than our universe. It’s a universe where kindness always wins, and hard work always pays off. It’s a world we should echo.
Rating: 8.5/10