Greatest of All Time (GOAT) - not quite cricket

 

Movie: Greatest of All Time (GOAT)

Language: Tamil

Year: 2024

Genre: Action

Showing: local theaters

Director: Vikram Prabhu

Cast: Vijay (dual role), Mohan, Prabhu Deva, Prashanth, Ajmel Ameer, Jayaram, Sneha, Meenakshi Chaudary

Mohan's Measure: ⭐

I must began by saying what a joy it is for me to have a whole row of family and friends together at a movie theater.  This, however, does not preclude me from my duties as an armchair critic in describing what once again is nothing more than cinematic hype being sold to us as a movie.

If there is a message to GOAT, it is that Vijay is worthy of a title once placed upon the heavyweight boxing champ, Muhammad Ali, albeit having nothing other than his massive fan base to show for it.  The producers of GOAT have spent millions on sets, locations, AI, CGI, and probably Botox, but have done little to focus on story, cinematography, or effective editing.

Instead, we have the self-glorifying Vijay playing his 50 year-old self, alongside his CGI-modified twin being a 20 year old version.  His winks and hints to the audience feel condescending, and this excuse for an action spy story questions our ability to reason. 

Along with it are lots of over the top fights, cardboard cutout heroines (including poor Sneha), item songs, and even a cricket match.  So, rather than a movie, we find ourselves feeling like we are watching one of those 3-D virtual games, a series of poorly linked snippets with little room for emotion or character development.

Spoiler Alert: What is most telling for me is how a man who breaks down in tears after finding his long lost son can suddenly turn around and kill him without a second thought.  But not to worry, there is a proposed sequel to follow, with clones.

Please give yourself a second thought in wanting to see this film.