GOAT is about a billy goat named Will (Caleb McLaughlin).
Will has loved Roarball (like basketball, but more animalistic) ever since he was a kid, and his biggest dream is to play the game alongside his idol, the black panther Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). His mom (Jennifer Hudson) has always supported him with his aspirations, taking him to games, cheering him on, and wanting nothing but the best for her little one.
Ten years later, a young adult Will now lives in a small garage he converted into a home. To make ends meet, he works as a delivery boy for a local diner. His mom? Sadly, she has already passed away, and oh he misses her terribly. As for Jett Fillmore and her team, the Vineland Thorns, things aren’t going well. Even with a strong lineup of Olivia Burke (Nicola Coughlan), an ostrich; Archie Everhardt (David Harbour), a black rhinoceros; Modo Olachenko (Nick Kroll), a komodo dragon; and Lenny Williamson (Stephen Curry), a giraffe, they just can’t seem to get a win.
Despite all the changes in the world though, three things have stayed the same for Will: his love for his mom, his love for his team, and his love for Roarball.
One day, Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), an Andalusian horse and the lead player of the Lava Court Magmas, challenges the locals of Vineland to a street ball match. Many try and fail miserably, but Will feels a surge of confidence and steps up to face the Roarball superstar. He gets a good head start, scoring 2–0 in a first-to-three game and even lands a slick ankle breaker. But in the end, Mane Attraction proves too much for a scrawny kid like Will.
He loses the game. But you know what? He gains something unexpected: a trending video of him breaking Mane Attraction’s ankle.
The internet loves it. His video spreads quickly like wildfire and it catches the attention of the Vineland Thorns’ owner, the warthog Florence “Flo” Everson (Jenifer Lewis). Seeing potential in him, she immediately signs him to the team, pairing him with Jett. Finally, Will’s dream is coming true.
Unfortunately, Jett is restless and sees Will’s arrival as a problem. She doubts that an amateur, let alone a small billy goat, can compete against bigger and stronger professional opponents. She wants to win. She wants to win now.
During the Valentine’s season, audiences are naturally more inclined to watch romance films than an animated sports movie like GOAT. In the Philippines, The Loved One is likely the more preferred choice over this, while international viewers might skip this altogether and opt for Wuthering Heights instead. Basically, the release date feels like a misfire. One could argue that with the NBA heading into All Star Weekend and less live sport to follow after, fans might consider watching a billy goat play the sport just to pass the time. Even so, the timing still feels odd and, if you ask me, potentially unprofitable.
That is unfortunate because the people behind GOAT seem genuinely passionate about basketball as a sport and animation as a medium. It’s directed by Tyree Dillihay, whose credits include episodes of Bob’s Burgers, Allen Gregory, and Da Jammies. It’s animated by Sony Pictures Animation, a studio that has been steadily building its reputation with projects like K-Pop Demon Hunters and the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse films. On top of that, it is produced by Stephen Curry, an NBA superstar and often considered the greatest shooter of all time.
Yet even with competent and passionate people behind it, I was not fully satisfied with the final product.
One reason is that for a basketball inspired movie, the sport feels replaceable. It could easily be swapped with another sport like soccer or football without significantly affecting the story. That says a lot about how generic the film is. The conflicts are not born from the sport itself, and the sport does not meaningfully influence the narrative. Historically, basketball has been associated with deeper social issues, from racism to poverty. When used thoughtfully, the sport can offer meaningful commentary on community, opportunity, and privilege. Just look at Coach Carter.
So is basketball being replaceable detrimental to the film? Not entirely. However, it does affect the viewing experience. If you are a basketball fan, you will expect not only exciting game action but also a deeper connection to the sport. In GOAT, most of the character development happens outside the court. There is nothing wrong with that though, but when the sport functions more as background decoration than as a central gear in the story, it feels weaker and more formulaic.
To be fair, this is a children’s film, and it may be unfair to nitpick it for not exploring heavier themes just because I want something deeper as an adult viewer. GOAT can be quite enjoyable for the kids. The jokes and the action are good enough for its intended audience. You will also appreciate the touching moments, such as when Will talks about his mother and how her love and support give him the strength to work harder and dream bigger. The film’s heart is in the right place. It’s sincere, it’s gentle, and its lessons can serve as meaningful conversation starters for parents and children watching it together.
2/5