Filmy4wap : The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) Review: A Vijay-Centric Action Drama
Cast:
Vijay, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sneha, Laila, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Ajmal Ameer, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Producers: Kalpathi S. Aghoram, Kalpathi S. Ganesh, Kalpathi S. Suresh
Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematographer: Siddhartha Nuni
Editor: Venkat Raajen
Thalapathy Vijay’s much-anticipated film, The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT), has hit theaters in both Tamil and Telugu languages with considerable buzz. Let’s explore how the film fares.
Story:
The movie centers around Gandhi (Vijay), a member of the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS), who successfully eliminates a terrorist group in Kenya led by Menon (Mohan). Years later, during a mission in Bangkok, Gandhi is devastated to find his son Jeevan (also played by Vijay) dead. However, in a shocking twist, he encounters Jeevan alive in Russia years later. They return home together, but strange occurrences involving members of the SATS begin to unravel. Gandhi sets out to uncover the truth. Is Jeevan truly his son? Does he have any connection to Menon? These questions form the basis of the movie’s suspense.
Highlights:
Vijay’s performance is the movie’s greatest strength. He shines in the dual roles of Gandhi and Jeevan, particularly excelling in portraying Jeevan’s dark, villainous side. Meanwhile, his role as Gandhi, featuring a composed demeanor and stylish salt-and-pepper look, adds depth to the character. His ability to handle both roles with balance elevates the film.
Supporting actors, including Prabhudeva, Jayaram, Prashanth, Mic Mohan, and Sneha, deliver satisfactory performances within their limited screen time. The face-off scenes between the two characters played by Vijay are intense and engaging. Additionally, the action sequences are well-executed, and the climax during a live CSK cricket match is crafted for fans, although its length might be a concern.
Drawbacks:
The film’s storyline follows a predictable path, despite the director’s attempts to build an unpredictable screenplay. Audiences familiar with similar revenge dramas may find the plot easy to foresee. A tighter script could have improved the film’s overall impact.
The first half feels slow, dragging at certain points, which may test the viewers’ patience. While the second half picks up with key face-off scenes, the overall length of the film becomes a challenge. Even though Vijay’s performance helps maintain momentum, the plot sometimes feels overstretched.
Certain plot holes, especially in the action scenes where the protagonist miraculously avoids getting hit, can be frustrating. Menon’s character, portrayed by Mohan, lacks depth, making the villain less compelling. Meenakshi Chaudhary’s role is underutilized, with only a few appearances in songs and scenes. Cameos by Trisha and Sivakarthikeyan are pleasant surprises but don’t significantly affect the storyline.
The humor in certain scenes falls flat, and the post-credits sequence seems to be lifted directly from a lackluster Hollywood film.
Technical Aspects:
Venkat Prabhu’s direction and screenplay are the film’s weak points. The story feels formulaic, and the slow pacing—especially in the first half—diminishes the audience’s engagement. The excessive runtime further weakens the experience.
Technically, the VFX team did a commendable job de-aging Vijay, although some versions of his character appear awkward. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music does not stand out, and several scenes, particularly in the first half, could have been trimmed to improve the pacing. The cinematography is decent, and the production values are impressive.
Verdict:
Overall, The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) is a typical revenge action drama that relies heavily on Vijay’s performance. His portrayal of Jeevan and the face-off sequences are the film’s highlights. However, aside from Vijay’s presence, the movie offers little in terms of originality or excitement. With its slow pacing, lengthy runtime, and multiple plot holes, it might only appeal to ardent fans of Vijay.