Title: The Greatest of All Time (GOAT)
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Starring: Vijay, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Sneha, Jayaram, Yogi Babu, and others
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Plot Overview
GOAT (The Greatest of All Time) is a 2024 Tamil-language science fiction action film featuring Thalapathy Vijay in dual roles, squaring off against none other than… himself! In Venkat Prabhu’s ambitious new venture, Vijay portrays both the hero, MS Gandhi, and the villain, his estranged son Jeevan, in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game. The story revolves around Gandhi, a former Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS) officer, now living a quieter life as an immigration officer. However, when a trip to Russia reunites him with his long-lost son Jeevan, a de-aged version of Vijay, their reunion sparks a storm of emotions and violence. What unfolds is a family feud with international stakes, action-packed confrontations, and an intense battle for survival.
Review
In GOAT, Vijay’s performance as both the hero and villain is undoubtedly the film’s highlight. The dual role allows fans to experience not one, but two contrasting Vijays – the family man turned stoic immigration officer, Gandhi, and his rebellious, revenge-driven son, Jeevan. Venkat Prabhu capitalizes heavily on this dual portrayal, bringing out the best of Vijay’s charisma. The action sequences between the two Vijays, especially the confrontations, are engaging and drive the momentum of the film.
However, beyond the star power, GOAT’s storyline follows a rather predictable template. The first half builds tension with a series of emotional and action sequences as Gandhi’s past catches up with him. The action-packed climax, set against the backdrop of a CSK live match, offers a fan-pleasing spectacle but feels unnecessarily dragged out. The twists in the second half aim for shock value, but most are foreseeable, weakening the overall impact. Despite the thrilling interval block, the narrative leans too heavily on nostalgia and fan service.
Director Venkat Prabhu has clearly tailored the film for Vijay’s fanbase, with endless tributes to his past films. From Ghilli’s “Marudhamalai” to Beast’s “Habibi,” and even the signature ‘Appadi Podu’ step with Trisha in a special cameo, the film is filled with nostalgic callbacks. While these moments keep the audience hooked, they also mask the lack of substantial storytelling. The political undercurrents, especially Vijay’s subtle messages to his fans, add another layer to the film, although they may feel forced to casual viewers.
The de-aging technology used to transform Vijay into a younger version of himself is impressively done, dispelling the initial concerns raised after the trailer’s release. However, despite these technical feats, the film’s VFX and outdoor cinematography leave much to be desired, especially considering its hefty production budget. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music excels during action sequences but disappoints with the film’s songs, particularly the underwhelming special number with Trisha.
Supporting Cast:
The supporting cast, including Sneha, Prashanth, and Prabhu Deva, do their part to add depth to the film. Sneha’s role as Gandhi’s estranged wife provides some emotional weight to the story, but the family dynamics often take a backseat to the film’s action sequences. Prashanth and Prabhu Deva bring their experience to their roles as Gandhi’s former colleagues, but they, too, struggle to shine amidst the heavy focus on Vijay. Yogi Babu and Premgi Amaren offer comic relief, with Yogi Babu scoring big in his witty Gandhi-Nehru bits, but their moments are few and far between.
Kokila Mohan as the rogue SATS officer Rajiv Menon, the primary antagonist manipulating Jeevan, delivers a solid performance. Unfortunately, his character is often overshadowed by the dual Vijays, leaving the villain’s motivations somewhat underdeveloped.
Final Verdict:
GOAT delivers all the thrills, nostalgia, and action that Vijay fans crave, but for the average moviegoer, it may feel like an overlong, formulaic action film. While Vijay shines in his dual roles, the predictable storyline and lack of solid character development limit the film’s potential. Fans will undoubtedly celebrate GOAT, but for those expecting a truly groundbreaking sci-fi action spectacle, it may not live up to the promise of its title. In his illustrious 32-year career, GOAT is a solid entry in Vijay’s filmography but falls short of being the “Greatest of All Time.”
