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



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website :

https://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/projects/films/goat

© 2026 Sony Pictures Animation Inc. All rights reserved.


Send Help 3D Movie Review

Send Help

3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega


3D

When Send Help started, I initially felt that the 3D wasn’t really needed and seemed fairly basic. Most of the film doesn’t feature a strong depth of field, so while it looks fine, it isn’t particularly impressive.

That said, when the 3D does support the story, it looks genuinely great. The presentation isn’t very consistent, but none of it is bad — it’s solid overall.

The plane crash sequence is a clear standout. There are some nice pop-out moments, especially with weapons breaking the screen plane. The film also features many scenes set on tall cliffs, and the added 3D depth significantly increases the tension in those moments.

I was disappointed with several rain sequences, though. In many other films, rain is used beautifully in 3D with layered depth, but here it often looks flatter than it should. It still looks good — just not as good as it could have been.

This movie would have benefited from being filmed in native 3D where possible, as many of the sets and scenes seem perfectly suited for it. There are also quite a few extremely tight close-ups, which can feel a little awkward in 3D. That said, several darkly lit scenes work surprisingly well in 3D — moments where other films often struggle, but this one manages to retain depth and clarity.

Overall, Send Help delivers a solid 3D experience, but one that clearly could — and should — have been better.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

FYI Send Help does not include a mid- or post-credits scene, but the credits feature factoids presented in a way that complements the film and its 3D presentation.


Movie

Sometimes less is more, and with Send Help, that philosophy is executed perfectly.

Somehow, this film captures the zeitgeist of 2026 — and we’re only in January. This was the first new movie I watched this year, and wow… it made an impression.

The story is grounded and straightforward. Linda works for a terrible boss, Donovan. After a plane crash strands them on a deserted tropical island, the power dynamic flips completely — and Linda finally has the upper hand. Revenge is clearly on the table.

Linda is kind, smart, and resourceful — but she’s no saint. She’s capable, yet occasionally cringey, awkward, and deeply flawed. Donovan is a spoiled nepo-baby jerk, but even he isn’t without moments of uncomfortable truth. Neither character can be fully trusted, and both evolve onscreen in compelling ways. You truly believe that they hate each other, and the movie avoids some obvious clichés.

When I first saw the trailer, I was intrigued but worried the film would be one-note. Thankfully, those fears were unfounded. The movie takes the time to develop its characters, giving us meaningful backstory and emotional complexity. The narrative chooses depth over simplicity, and the audience is rewarded with a far more intimate and engaging experience.

I loved the performances. It’s impressive how such a simple premise is expanded into something so gripping. I was never bored, and the grounded nature of the story felt refreshing. The vast majority of the movie is just two characters onscreen. The film gives us exactly what we need — nothing more, nothing less.

One of the strongest aspects of Send Help is its intensity. This is a hard R-rated film, and every bit of it feels earned. It’s a bloody good time — both literally and figuratively. The violence is necessary, the dialogue is sharp, and the execution is confidently twisted. The horror comes from deliberate human choice rather than other supernatural monsters. The film does feature a few effective jump scares and is not for the faint of heart.

There’s a very dark, cynical sense of humor throughout, and it works beautifully with what’s shown onscreen. The movie is not subtle at all, and that’s a fantastic aspect of it. The film truly feels like it was made by adults, for adults. At times, it feels like an HBO version of a Twilight Zone episode expanded into a full-length feature. The film even includes deeper thematic elements that make sense and never feel preachy.

The direction by Sam Raimi is masterful. Everything introduced is paid off. I didn’t notice any plot holes, and the film is paced tightly with no fluff or fat. Raimi knows exactly how to tease the audience in ways that enhance the story rather than distract from it. The movie feels cathartic and deeply satisfying, and that’s entirely due to the confident, precise direction.

The music and score are superb. The audio design works perfectly with the visuals, pulling you deeper into each scene. The haunting, minimalist melodies fit the tone of the film like a glove.

I honestly don’t know what else to say — this movie is simply excellent. I have no real criticisms or suggestions for improvement. The ending is perfect, and I’m genuinely impressed that 20th Century Fox had the guts to release something that feels more like an indie darling than a traditional studio film.

Send Help is an instant classic. It’s a phenomenal film, and I genuinely believe it will be studied in film schools for years to come. This is a film that won’t fade with time — it will be remembered, analyzed, and talked about throughout the year and well beyond.

This is the definition of a cinematic masterpiece and is absolutely worthy of your time.

Final Movie Score:

10/10, Editors Choice Award



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website: https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/send-help

©2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.


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Mercy (2026) 3D Movie Review

Mercy (2026) 3D Movie Review

By: Jacob Scarberry


3D

Who asked for Mercy to be in 3D? I’m not mad at you, whomever requested it be released in 3D—I’m just very disappointed in your request. Yeah, this movie didn’t need to be in 3D, since most of the film is Chris Pratt sitting in a chair scrubbing through camera footage to prove his innocence. It’s not the most exciting use of 3D (or plot), but there still was a little bit of potential with various scenes of video “bubbles” being moved all around the frame and sweeping across Chris Pratt’s character that could’ve been impressive. Unfortunately, the 3D is depth-only 100% of the time. There were a few moments where a conversation bubble or a time clock sits dead center and pushes a bit toward the audience, but nothing truly breaks the barrier.

That being said, the depth is fantastic, and even scenes on RING™️ cameras, body cam footage, and the like all show impressive depth throughout the film. There are a couple of quick shots that don’t have a proper 3D effect, but that’s chalked up to scenes being pitch black, which completely flatten the image. The picture is also darker than expected, which further affects the 3D, and the colors look extremely dull for the most part. Other than that, it’s a decent 3D experience, but not memorable enough to wholly recommend—and yet the film is less enjoyable without the 3D. It really is a Catch-22.

Final 3D Score: 6/10


Movie

“It was the best of chairs; it was the worst of chairs…”

For the past several years, there’s been a running joke on the internet about Steven Seagal being a massive (both figuratively and literally) action star who’s so lazy that the vast majority of his screen time is literally just him sitting in a chair. It’s funny watching this movie, because I genuinely believed the script could’ve been a Seagal direct-to-video film from 15 years ago that got lost in a pile of scripts on an executive’s desk—only to be resurrected from the trash bin by Jeff Bezos and given the triple-A treatment for the sake of Amazon Prime content. Being flush with cash, Bezos hired an underrated director (Timur Bekmambetov, of Wanted fame) and backed a dump truck of Benjamins up to Chris Pratt’s driveway so he could sit down for our entertainment. This is cinema- Wow.

The film’s plot is rather simplistic, with Chris Raven (Chris Pratt), an LAPD cop who’s been arrested and sentenced for his wife’s death, being sent to “Mercy Court”—an AI court presided over by Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson), who is essentially the Judge Dredd of AI. Each defendant is given 90 minutes to present their case or else. Each defendant is also given carte blanche access to information and evidence. Chris is up against the literal clock to solve his wife’s murder and set himself free.

If there’s one thing I can say, it’s that the film isn’t as bad as it could have been, and it’s certainly better than the trailers showcased. That said, it doesn’t escape being fairly generic—a pastiche of cop-movie clichés and stock characters. Chris Pratt holds his own on the (green) screen, delivering a believable performance as a clever, level-headed cop and father who stays calm as the pressure mounts. Rebecca Ferguson also does solid work as the AI judge, channeling a restrained Dredd-like authority. Neither performance is innovative or career-defining, but both are good enough to sell the premise.

Timur Bekmambetov delivers a well-paced film that hits the ground running and, surprisingly, never becomes boring. Is this his best film? Not by a long shot. But he brings enough energy to keep it entertaining—and honestly, it’s better than most January movie releases tend to be. The real weak spot here is the screenplay. Rooted in predictable plotting and clichéd dialogue, the film desperately needed a rewrite to punch things up and maybe land a better twist. When I was able to predict the villain almost immediately, that’s a clear sign a second pass was needed. Also distracting is some underbaked CGI that pops up now and then, feeling unfinished and hovering around PlayStation 3 cutscene levels of “meh.”

Overall, for a movie about a guy sitting in a chair, you’d expect it to be one of the worst films of 2026—and the year literally just started—but thanks to solid performances and competent direction, Mercy (2026) ends up being a pretty decent time if you’re bored. Just don’t go in expecting a balls-to-the-wall action flick.

Final Movie Score: 6/10



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website :

https://www.amazon.com/salp/mercy?hhf=

© 2026 AMAZON MGM STUDIOS