Dir: Tyree Dillihay
Cast: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson, Sherry Cola, Stephen Curry
This animated sports comedy from Sony bursts onto the screen with dazzling energy, delivering a sensory spectacle that delights, even if it falls short of its own title with no true originality or heartfelt depth
Animation in film has always been a race to set new standards, stretching back to Disney’s trailblazing “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” nearly ninety years ago. While Disney has often led the charge in both artistry and technology, other studios have also dazzled audiences. Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn wonders and Pixar’s digital magic have each left their mark, pushing animation through endless transformations. By the mid-2010s, with animation technology having seemingly reached its full potential, the world waited for a fresh visionary. Enter Sony Pictures Animation. Though they had already delivered hits like “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (2009), “Hotel Transylvania” (2012), and “Surf’s Up” (2007), Sony often stood in Disney and Pixar’s shadow. That all changed in 2018, when Sony didn’t just raise the bar—they reinvented it with the Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, a film that redefined what animation and visual storytelling could be.
Sony’s bold reimagining of the “Spider-Man” universe exploded onto the screen with a jaw-dropping animation style that made every moment feel like a comic book springing to life. By fusing 3D computer animation with classic 2D techniques, the film shattered the usual CGI playbook, transforming each frame into a vibrant, hand-crafted work of art that paid homage to the original comics.
Riding the wave of “Spider-Verse” success, Sony has embraced this inventive “2.5D” animation style across its recent films, from “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” (2021) to “KPop Demon Hunters” (2025) and the dazzling “Spider-Verse” sequel. Their creative spark has ignited a trend, inspiring rivals like Netflix’s “Klaus” (2019) and DreamWorks’ “The Wild Robot” (2024) to experiment with this fresh look. Now, Sony returns to the spotlight with “Goat”, a sports comedy that once again puts the spotlight on the stunning possibilities of modern animation.
Directed by Tyree Dillihay in his first feature, and produced by NBA legend Stephen Curry, “Goat” almost plays out like a cross between 1996’s “Space Jam” and Disney’s “Zootropolis” duology. Like the latter, the film takes place in a world of anthropomorphic animals, where the most popular sport is a beastly imitation of basketball known as “Roarball”. Young goat Will Harris(Caleb McLaughlin) aspires to be like his idol, the black panther Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union), the captain of his local team, the Vineland Thorns.
With rent looming over him, Will jumps at the chance to face Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre) at an open challenge, the star of the Lava Court Magmas. Though he loses, his gutsy performance nearly topples the famous roarball giant, turning Will into an overnight viral sensation. To his shock, Flo (Jenifer Lewis), the owner of the Vineland Thorns, signs him on the spot. Mocked by rivals and even his own teammates like Jett, Will sets his sights on changing the game forever by becoming the first and greatest medium-sized player the sport has ever seen—the true GOAT.
Sony’s signature fusion of 2D and 3D animation never fails to dazzle, and “Goat” is no exception. The film bursts with colour and energy, its most striking feature being the sheer vibrancy that leaps off the screen. The choice of soft, sketch-like pastel backgrounds lets the roarball action take centre stage, pulling viewers right into the heart of the high-octane sport. Every arena and city in this animal universe is rendered with a painter’s touch, making the world feel both immersive and alive.
The film’s world-building is a playground for visual humour, with clever gags tucked into every corner and layer of the scenery. While echoes of “Zootropolis” can be spotted in the design, “Goat” carves out its own identity through lush, organic cityscapes and a kaleidoscopic colour palette that brings each fantastical setting to life.
The voice cast is equally as impressive, with “Stranger Things” stars Caleb McLaughlin and David Harbour lending heart to Will and his rhino teammate, Archie. Gabrielle Union and Aaron Pierre inject charisma into their roarball roles, while Stephen Curry himself makes a playful cameo as a giraffe on the Thorns. Comedians Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee also round out the fun as a hilariously quarrelsome ox and bat commentator duo.
“Goat” stumbles when it comes to originality. While the film dazzles with lively visuals and spirited voice work, it barely scratches the surface emotionally, leaving viewers with little to hold onto. The story treads the well-worn path of the classic underdog, leaning on sports clichés that sap the plot of surprise or spark. This predictability dulls the shine of the film’s otherwise colourful world and inventive animation. With a title and premise that spell out the G.O.A.T., a term thrown around with abandon in the sporting world, though told through the literal animal, it feels as if the filmmakers came up with the obvious title and setup before any real thought went into the narrative.
Even so, “Goat” offers a feast of fun for viewers of all ages. While adults may find less to chew on, kids will revel in the riot of colours, endless sight gags, and the film’s relentless, high-speed energy—even if parents might find themselves catching their breath by the end.
The Verdict:
Sony’s innovative animation style remains impressive in this colourful addition to the underdog subgenre, which, despite the glaring presence of familiar tropes, offers a wildly entertaining and lively world filled with comedic animal characters.
Goat is now showing in UK Cinemas
Dan Loves Film 
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