GOAT movie review and rating: GOAT (Greatest of All Time) is a Tamil movie directed by Venkat Prabhu known for his previous film Custody. The movie stars Vijay in a dual role and let’s see how the film is.
Story: The plot of GOAT centers around Vijay, a special officer in the Anti-Terrorist Squad. His life takes a tragic turn when he loses his five-year-old son due to the dangers of his job. Years later, his son (Vijay) reappears as a teenager, but with a mysterious motive. The film revolves around the son’s intentions and how they impact Vijay and his friends, who are part of a secret agency. The core of the story holds potential, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
Performances and Technical Aspects: Vijay plays two roles in the movie: the older Vijay and a de-aged teenage version of himself. His performance is commendable, particularly in portraying the older character. However, the VFX used to de-age him is distracting at times, though it improves as the film progresses. The two female leads, Sneha and Meenakshi Chaudhary are given minimal development and don’t contribute much to the story.
The supporting cast includes notable actors like Prabhu Deva, Prashanth, and Ajmal Ameer, but none of them manage to leave a lasting impression due to the lack of depth in their roles. The music by Yuvan Shankar Raja is forgettable, with the background score feeling outdated and failing to elevate the action sequences. The cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni is decent but nothing extraordinary, while the editing by Venkat Raajen leaves much to be desired, with several unnecessary lengthy scenes making the film drag.
Analysis: The first half of GOAT is a slow burn, with action sequences that feel formulaic and several cringe-worthy comedic moments. The story takes too long to get to the interval, and by then, viewers may already feel disengaged. The second half picks up slightly with the introduction of the younger Vijay’s backstory, but even then, the narrative lacks emotional weight. The movie misses several opportunities to explore deeper emotions, particularly in the relationship between father and son.
The film also suffers from poor pacing and disjointed transitions. In one instance, a song follows immediately after an emotional scene, disrupting the mood and making the film feel inconsistent. The climax, set in a cricket stadium, is dragged out and feels more like fan service than a meaningful resolution to the story.
Verdict: GOAT had the potential to be a memorable action drama, but it falls far short of its ambitious title. The movie’s length, poor character development, and lack of emotional engagement make it an average watch. Vijay’s performance is one of the few highlights, but it’s not enough to save the film from mediocrity. Only die-hard Vijay fans might find some enjoyment here, while others may find it a struggle to sit through the nearly three-hour runtime.
Bottom sarcastic line: GOAT? More like a lamb in wolf’s clothing.
Rating: 2/5
