MANILA, Philippines — Fresh off the success of the "Spider-Verse" films and breakout hit "KPop Demon Hunters," Sony Pictures Animation is back with new outing "Goat."
The animated film follows young Boer goat Will, voiced by "Stranger Things" star Caleb McLaughlin, who is a big fan of roarball, the in-universe basketball, and Vineland's homegrown star player Jett (Gabrielle Union), a black panther.
Will is given the chance to play alongside Jett and the winless Thorns team, even though he is a considered a "small" player in a sport dominated by larger creatures led by rough and tough Mane Attraction, an Andalusian horse voiced by Aaron Pierre.
"Goat" is by no means phenomenal on the same level as Sony Pictures Animation's recent hits, which includes "The Mitchells vs. the Machines," but it is a continuation of the dominating standard the company has set for its animation work.
The film's visual design is vastly different from the easily comparable "Zootopia" films, but the latter has the upper hand when it comes to themes.
Related: Steph Curry sees self in 'Goat' character, wants to bring sports culture to animation
There are many directions for "Goat" to possibly follow, like why roarball is dominated by "bigs" or why Vineland, the home of the sport, has yet to win a trophy.
Even the individual stories of insecure ostrich Olivia (Nicola Coughlan), doting daddy rhinoceros Archie (David Harbour), kooky Komodo dragon Modo (Nick Kroll), and disjointed giraffe Lenny (basketball star Stephen Curry, who also produces) feel cramped by the short runtime and fast pacing.
Instead the movie focuses on a basic theme — dreaming big — and it is simple enough for younger audiences to appreciate and enjoy.
It doesn't take a lot to have kids, and even adults, rooting for actual underdogs, and this makes such victories so much sweeter when a game winner beats the clock.