The GOAT Movie Review: Vijay’s High-Octane Action Spectacle with Stellar Moments and a Few Misses

Plot: 

MS Gandhi (Vijay) and his wife (Sneha) travel to Bangkok for a short family vacation, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their second child. During the trip, their son Jeevan is kidnapped, leaving Gandhi, an anti-terrorist squad member, devastated. Years later, Gandhi reunites with Jeevan in Russia and brings him back to Chennai, where the family begins to enjoy a peaceful life together. However, Gandhi is unaware that his son has returned with a hidden agenda: to exact revenge on him. What drives Jeevan to seek vengeance against his own father?

The GOAT Movie Review:

The G.O.A.T (The Greatest Of All Time) stands tall as one of Thalapathy Vijay’s most exciting action-packed films, delivering a blend of powerful mass moments and intense action sequences with surprising twists along the way. The second half of the film truly shines, culminating in an impactful climax.

Vijay excels in a dual role, seamlessly transitioning between the father and son characters. The de-aging technology, though at times inconsistent, effectively portrays the younger version of his character. The father-son duo’s shared screen presence is a true highlight, bringing an electrifying energy to the film.

Prashanth and Prabhudeva are fine in their roles, though Mohan's character isn't well-developed. Meenakshi Chaudhary and Sneha have small parts, and Trisha and Siva Karthikeyan make cameo appearances.

Director Venkat Prabhu offers a full-on entertainer that not only thrills Vijay’s dedicated fans but also provides solid value for general audiences. However, the film’s length could have been trimmed by 15-20 minutes, and the music falls short of leaving a lasting impression.

Overall, the film offers a classic mainstream experience, with a slower first half but a much stronger second act. Some elements, like the de-aging effects and the predictable twists, may not fully align with what was teased in pre-release interviews, leaving some viewers underwhelmed.

While the movie boasts standout action scenes, including thrilling chase sequences, and showcases Vijay’s star power, its clichéd storyline, overdone action, and weak music hold it back from being exceptional.

Despite these shortcomings, The GOAT has the potential to be a major box office hit and may well stand as one of Vijay’s greatest successes. It’s a fan’s delight with its action-packed sequences, but also offers enough to keep general audiences entertained. Overall, it’s a fantastic mass entertainer that delivers on its promise, even if it doesn’t fully escape some predictable elements and technical issues.