Thalapathy Vijay's The GOAT has been one of the most anticipated films, especially with Vijay hinting at his political entry, making this potentially his penultimate project. Directed by Venkat Prabhu, the film hit theaters today, and fans are eager to see what kind of impact it has left on audiences and whether it lives up to the high expectations surrounding Vijay's potential farewell to the silver screen. Let’s explore how The GOAT resonated with movie lovers.
The GOAT tells the story of an ATS officer whose past resurfaces to haunt him, forcing him to confront both personal and professional challenges head-on. Gandhi (Vijay), an immigration officer from Chennai, finds his life spiraling out of control when he embarks on a diplomatic mission to Moscow, where unforeseen events take a drastic toll on him both professionally and personally. The film delves into the mysteries surrounding Gandhi's life and explores his connections to his wife Anu (Sneha), Jeevan (Vijay), and his love interest Srinidhi (Meenakshi Chaudhary). These revelations form the intriguing core of the narrative, keeping audiences engaged as they uncover the secrets of Gandhi's past and how they shape his present.
Vijay delivers a crowd-pleasing performance in *The GOAT*, playing dual roles that delight his fans and moviegoers alike. He looks fittingly mature in his older avatar, suiting his age gracefully, while his younger version exudes energy, charisma, and style, electrifying the screen. His performance is packed with the signature mannerisms, emotions, and expressions that his fans love, and he executes high-octane stunts effortlessly, keeping audiences hooked.
The supporting cast, though given limited screen time, does justice to their roles. Sneha delivers a commendable performance as Vijay's wife, while Meenakshi Chaudhary is convincing as his love interest. Prabhudeva, Prashanth, Jayaram, Ajay, and Laila are adequate in their roles, contributing to the narrative. Fans are treated to nostalgic tributes to legends like Captain Vijayanath, SPB, and a nod to Ajith’s iconic "Mankatha" step, along with references to many of Vijay's classic films. As an added bonus, fans will be thrilled by Thala Dhoni's surprise appearance in the climax, making for a memorable moment.
Venkat Prabhu’s story for *The GOAT* ends up being highly predictable, offering little in terms of originality. The first half drags with outdated family and comedy scenes that verge on cringe-worthy, failing to engage viewers. Interest finally picks up just before the interval with the introduction of a younger version of Vijay, raising expectations for the second half. Unfortunately, Venkat Prabhu falters again, wasting time on ridiculous flashback sequences that derail the narrative. Despite Vijay's best efforts to elevate the film through emotional performances and action-packed stunts, the story quickly loses momentum. The pre-climax provides a brief spark of excitement with Dhoni's appearance, but the overly drawn-out climax ultimately fizzles out, dissipating any built-up anticipation.
Venkat Prabhu falls short in all aspects—story, screenplay, and direction. The project would have greatly benefited from more thoughtful script development before moving forward.
Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score is a major letdown, leaving audiences shocked by its mediocrity. The songs are equally forgettable, lacking any appeal or impact. Siddhartha Nuni’s cinematography aligns well with the story but doesn’t stand out, while Venkat Raajan’s editing leaves much to be desired, with numerous unnecessary scenes and dragging sequences. The dialogues are passable, and the production values are solid, though they do little to elevate an otherwise underwhelming film.
Altogether, The GOAT ends up being a fairly ordinary action entertainer. While Vijay delivers his signature performance, with his dual roles adding some excitement, Venkat Prabhu falls short in elevating the film to greater heights. The story is overly simplistic, and both the screenplay and direction fail to impress, leaving much to be desired. Taking all of these factors into account, Cinejosh awards *The GOAT* a rating of 2.25 stars.