Thalapathy Vijay Shines in 'GOAT,' But the Film Falls Short
In "The Greatest of All Time" (GOAT), Thalapathy Vijay delivers a charismatic performance, but the film itself struggles to live up to its title. The movie opens with a high-octane sequence where gandhi (Vijay), India’s top anti-terrorism agent, pulls off a slick heist in a Thai hotel. The scene ends with Vijay making a dramatic exit via parachute, a moment designed to get fans cheering. director Venkat Prabhu’s aim seems to be to create a spectacle that keeps the audience engaged with fan-service moments, cameos, and callbacks, but the film lacks substantial content.
GOAT centers on gandhi, who, after losing his son and ending his career, returns to action when his presumed-dead child reappears, bringing fresh turmoil. The film does well with Vijay’s dual role, utilizing de-aging technology effectively to distinguish between the father and son. Despite Vijay’s strong performance, the film suffers from a thin plot and lacks depth, making the three-hour runtime feel excessive.
Venkat Prabhu's film is packed with meta humor and self-referential jokes, poking fun at itself and Vijay’s star status. However, the reliance on the star's quirks and excessive drama, similar to ajith Kumar’s Vinayak Mahadev from "Mankatha," results in mixed outcomes due to the film’s weak narrative. The antagonist, sunil Menon (Mohan), is a clichéd villain, and Gandhi’s supposed prowess remains unconvincing.
GOAT resembles a string of flashy instagram reels more than a cohesive film, similar to the recent trend in star vehicles where the spectacle overshadows substance. While the film includes memorable moments, it ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling story or proving gandhi as the "Greatest of All Time."