Goal! - The Dream Begins
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Movie Reviews of Goal! - The Dream Begins
Movie Review: This may not be sparkling original, but it's well executed.
Summary: 4 Stars
There are many movies about sports, some very good, some really bad and this one falls into the very good category. "Goal!" is the typical sports movie about an exceptionally talented young amateur who is given a chance to shine among the professionals and win the heart of the girl he loves. However, "Goal!" works this premise and makes it fresh and entertaining. Director Danny Cannon had complete support by FIFA and Newcastle United and it shows, he has created some of the most realist and remarkable football scenes in film.
Kuno Becker is very good as Santiago, although at times he is overshadowed by other members of the cast. It seems as if he lacked some presence on screen. However, he is still young, and certainly will improve with the years. Alessandro Nivola steals the movie with his performance as Gavin, a notorious football star whose convoluted public life begins to take its toll in his performance in the field.
Cannon's approach to the story may seem clichéd, but the movie is never boring nor tiresome. Sure, he follows every rule in "Sport Movies Handbook" but he does it with care, good eye and love for the sport. Just like sport movies should be done. The movie flows smoothly between remarkable football scenes and Santiago's struggle with his own personal demons. While at times it seems that both Cannon and Becker are more comfortable in sports scenes, the movie's dose of drama is well handled and completes an enjoyable experience. Even though it's frankly predictable most of the time, it transmits passion, emotions and a love for the game that few movies do. That's why "Goal!" can be considered a successful and important film. It is the first film about football soccer that transmits the emotions that have made the sport to be the most popular sport in the world. And that's got to be worth something.
It may not be a perfect sports film; however, "Goal!" is the beginning of an adventure, and hopefully, of a new way to make football movies. This initial film of what is called the "Goal! Trilogy" delivers high energy entertainment for fans and non-fans of the sport.
Movie Review: A Cinderella story with a kick!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll be honest from the get go. This is not a new story. It's the same rags to riches/Cinderella story, but with a football/soccer bent to it. Now depending on how the movie plays out, it could've been a very bad thing. But it wasn't.
Goal! is about a young man, Santiago Munez, who wants to play football more than anything else. When an ex-scout sees him play & notices the sheer promise Munez has, he instantly tries to get him scouted & brought over to the UK to play professionally. Unfortunately setbacks such as poverty & an unsympathetic father stand in Munez's way. It's only after his grandmother raises the money that Munez travels to the UK... and promptly fails the promised tryout. Luckily for Munez, he's given another chance but is unaware that some of the biggest hurdles have yet to come.
Like I said earlier, it would've been easy for this film to fail badly. The whole "average Joe makes good" thing has been done before in sports flicks. About 30 minutes into the film I couldn't help but think of 'Bend it Like Beckham'. But this film manages to pull off the Cinderella story spin well. I was able to relate to the character & I felt myself actually caring about whether or not he'd succeed, which is important for films such as this.
This wasn't the greatest film I've ever seen in this genre (Beckham is far better), but it really was a nice film & I can predict that this will be a hit with many football fans & players. I'm sure that there might have been tiny details that the savvy could point out as being incorrect, but for the non-savvy such as me, the film really was nice. (The ending was really the best part of the film for me- it was really heartwarming!)
Movie Review: "Quite Tasty" ~ Pursuing The American Dream Elsewhere
Summary: 4 Stars
Synopsis: Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker) is a twenty-something Hispanic illegal (or should I say "undocumented alien") living with his Grandmother, Father and little brother in downtown Los Angeles. He works with his Father as a gardener during the day, hustles as a bus boy in a Chinese restaurant in the evening and plays soccer in the park whenever he can fit it in. Santiago is a superior player but his talent and potential seems to be taking him nowhere until he comes under the scrutiny of an ex-professional English soccer player Gavin (Alessandro Nivola). After a couple of brief encounters between the two Gavin convinces Santiago to come to England and play for United, a first division team. If Santiago can pay for his own plane faire Gavin promises the boy a try-out. As you've already guessed Santiago makes the journey and gets his big opportunity. The only question is can he perform up to expectations?
`The Goal' is an entertaining, inspiring sports film about seizing the day and having the courage to pursue one's dreams no matter what the cost. While it doesn't quite deliver the emotional impact of `Rudy' or `Miracle,' it's still well worth the watch. Kuno Becker is good-looking and likeable in the role of Santiago, you'll find yourself rooting for him in no time. I would venture to guess this movie will find a ready made audience among the Hispanic/Latino community, but the story transcends ethnic boundaries
Movie Review: Cinderella Soccer Story
Summary: 4 Stars
Goal! is a well-done soccer version of the road to glory in athletics. It is a true Cinderella story that makes the impossible possible and fulfills the one in a million shot at stardom.
The soccer player, a young hispanic man in Los Angeles, gets a one-time chance to tryout for English Premier League power Newcastle. As the movie progresses, more and more people believe in the young man's dream.
His family relationships are present and well-developed in the movie as is a budding romance. We see the young player learn about the consequences of his decisions. There are enough conflicts and challenges in this movie that keep it interesting.
The soccer presented in the movie is very well-done. We see actual professional players make cameo's on and off the pitch..no headbutts, though. A few times I felt like I was watching an actual English Premier League game...there are just a few too many spin moves over the ball but they look cool.
This is a good movie with a good begining and good ending. I am glad I watched it and recommend it especially to soccer fans.
Movie Review: Cliche filled -but very good anyway
Summary: 4 Stars
Most sports movies fall into the "seen one you've seen them all category". Goal is a fairly typical sports movie story of an underdog who defies all the odds to make it big and even get the girl at the end. All the stereotypes are here. The loving grandmother, the tough father, the conceited superstar, the stern coach, the adoring younger brother. So given all that why did I enjoy this so much?
First Kuno Becker gives a fine performance in the lead role as a young Mexican immigrant in Los Angeles who is spotted playing park football and ends up in the English Premier League. Second- The film is unusual in the dual settings of Los Angeles and Newcastle, UK. Third- The football sequences are well done and feature cameos by numerous big name players and the depiction of game day at St Jame's park in Newcastle is incredibly cool.
Finally, for a soccer fan living in the LA area how can you not be drawn into a film that deals with both your hometown and your favorite sport.