GOAT 3D Movie Review
GOAT
3D Movie Review
Written By: Jacob Scarberry
3D
Don’t worry — I’m not going to go for low-hanging fruit here (It’s so tempting). I’m strictly taking the high road for once and declaring the 3D simply is breathtaking. From the get-go, we’re treated to a fantastic 3D experience that offers everything you could want. Colorful world despite the 3D glasses filter? Check. Fantastic depth and pop-outs? Check. Does the third dimension actively make the film better? BIG check. GOAT is a great 3D showcase.
From the opening overhead shot of the Vineland Thorns stadium, I was blown away by how stunning the 3-D effect looked. The depth felt natural and lifelike in every shot following that glorious bird’s-eye view — and it just kept getting better. Constant pop-outs of characters’ heads and limbs, inward depth on the various sports-channel title cards, particle effects floating through the theater… it’s almost overwhelming. Almost being the operative word. It’s a beautiful 3D image, and with this most likely not receiving a physical 3D Blu-ray release(Sony please prove me wrong), it’s absolutely worth the extra few bucks to see it in the third dimension. GOAT is the best 3D visuals of 2026, and it’s not even close.
Final 3D Score:
10/10, Editors choice Award
Movie
And crashing back down from that glorious 3D high back to Earth, I must talk about the GOAT itself. After seeing the trailer a few months ago in theaters, I had this near the top of my least anticipated films of 2026. I thought it looked terrible and honestly hoped I’d get to rip it to shreds with a 3/10 or lower. I sat in my primo middle-of-the-theater seat, large Coke Zero in the cupholder and my Scream 7 tin bucket full of popcorn in hand. I was ready.
Ninety-eight minutes later, I sat there befuddled. My drink was empty, my popcorn tin filled with unpopped kernels and “butter,” and I reflected. I said to myself, “It actually wasn’t BAAAAAAAD.” (Okay, my one and only goat themed pun in this review.) I realized I had judged the film without knowing its character. I was the villain — hopefully redeemed by the end.
The film opens ten years prior to the main story, where a little goat named Will Harris is surprised by his mom with tickets to a Roarball game (the film’s equivalent of basketball) featuring his favorite team, the Vineland Thorns, and his favorite player, Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union, as good as ever). Will is immediately entranced by the sport and declares he’ll be a baller, despite being a “little” in a game that demands bigness.
Cut to modern day: Will (voiced by Stranger Things Caleb McLaughlin) is firmly seated on the struggle bus of life. He works a dead-end delivery job at a café, struggles to pay rent, and still clings to that dream of greatness. Opportunity arrives when the current star athlete shows up at a local court to challenge anyone. Will steps up against Mane Attraction — the film’s main villain — and loses, but goes viral thanks to some impressive moves despite being a “little.” Flo (Jenifer Lewis), the Thorns’ owner, discovers the viral clip and signs Will as the sixth player, much to Jett’s dismay.
Jett is the aging superstar who nearly had immortal glory before one mistake cost her a championship. She’s driven, proud, and immediately dismissive of Will. She also feels superior to her teammates — Olivia (Nicola Coughlan), Archie (David Harbour), Lenny (Stephen Curry), and Modo (Nick Kroll) — who are mostly burnt out, past their prime, and completely lacking cohesion. Will becomes a glorified benchwarmer until a foul on Jett during his fourth game forces him onto the court… where he actually wins the game.
The team gradually comes around to Will — Jett being the last holdout, fearful that she’s past her prime and might have to pass the torch. (The film’s best sequence literally involves a promo shoot where she refuses to hand him a prop torch.) The team gels, enters the playoffs, confronts their insecurities, and pushes toward the Claw — the film’s championship trophy — against their rivals, the Magma, led by Mane Attraction. Can they sustain the momentum and take home the gold?
If you’ve seen any sports movie, you’ve seen this plot before. It’s a classic David-vs-Goliath story stuffed with clichés, but buoyed by beautiful animation and enough heart to make it work. Yes, it’s predictable. Yes, you know the beats. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying myself. The character moments are the highlights — Will bringing out the best in his teammates and restoring pride not just in the team, but in Vineland itself. Despite a decade-long slump, the fans still care, and that emotional core carries the film.
The voice cast is largely excellent. The main players shine, and even Steph Curry does fine as a Shaq-esque larger-than-life athlete/rapper/actor figure. It’s not anyone’s career peak, but it’s far from a train wreck. The real star, however, is the animation. It’s absolutely gorgeous. While it borrows the stylistic energy of the Spider-Verse films and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, it feels more fluid and less comic-panel rigid. The world feels alive. Pair that with biome diversity reminiscent of Zootopia — jungle zones, snowy areas, volcanic regions — and the setting becomes vibrant and distinct.
The writing, however, is extremely predictable. It works fine as a first sports movie for a 7-year-old, but seasoned viewers will call every turn. I wish the film had taken more risks with the “little vs. big” dynamic and how that could truly shake up the sports world. Maybe Jett could’ve been more than just the aging GOAT-chaser. Maybe fewer animal-pun gags. Still, it remains charming enough for family audiences.
Another gripe is pacing. At 98 minutes including credits, you could call it tight — but I’d argue it’s too fast. Side characters are underdeveloped, and we blaze from regular season to playoffs to championships at record speed. I understand the focus is on people over process, but showing more gameplay would’ve helped viewers invest emotionally.
Then there’s the product placement. It’s distracting. In an entirely anthropomorphic world, seeing real-world brands like Under Armour, Sony, and Mercedes-Benz breaks immersion. Watching an animal play a PlayStation 5 with a fake in-universe game (“Roar 2K,” for anyone curious) is bizarre. Either fully commit to parody brands or don’t — you can’t have your cake and eat it too, Sony.
That said, this is a surprisingly good movie. The phenomenal 3D presentation and genuine heart carry it far, even if it’s one of the most contrived sports films I’ve seen this side of The Blind Side. Strong voice work, stunning animation, and brisk pacing make it an enjoyable watch. It may not be the G.O.A.T., but it’s a perfectly fine time-waster despite its flaws — claws?
GOAT is an unexpectedly solid family film that’s worth watching.
Final Movie Score: 7/10
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Official Website :
https://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/projects/films/goat
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