"Goal! The Dream Begins" (2005)
Directed By: Danny Cannon
Starring: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Tony Plana, Miriam Colon, & Alfredo Rodriguez
MPAA Rating: "PG" (for language, sexual situations, and some thematic material including partying)
I feel as though I have written this review before. Come to think of it, I feel as though I have seen this movie before. Oh wait! I have a hundred times before. "Goal! The Dream Begins" fits so comfortably in the mold of its genre that one could almost imagine that it used the exact same outline as such films as "Stick It", "Take the Lead", "Akeelah and the Bee", "Bring It On: All or Nothing", and so many more. I can see the thought process that the filmmakers used when coming up with this idea. (Insert Name Here) is a true underdog who wants to excel at (inset sport and/or competition here), but (insert potential problem here) stands in his (or her) way. Can he (or she) overcome the obstacles and achieve (insert award name or honor here). Movies like these have been saturating the market lately yes, even more so than PG-13 remakes of horror classics. It seems as if every week we see another one of these types of films and, I must say that it is getting redundant. It is easy to see why. The layout of these films has already been pre-set and all filmmakers must do is insert different characters and achievements for them to work towards. How many more movies can they make? I guess when they must resort to using winning a paddleball competition as the achievement, they might just hold off for a while. But, alas, until then, we will continue seeing these. The latest (or one of the latest) is "Goal! The Dream Begins". Everything you need to know about this film is in the title. "The Dream Begins" sums it all up rather nicely, if I do say so myself. As it does not say "The Dream Ends", we must assume that our main hero succeeds in doing whatever it is he desires to do and that this movie paves the way for a long and successful career for out said hero. Come on! You know you knew that already.
The hero of this movie is Santiago Munez (Becker), an illegal immigrant from Mexico who dreams of playing soccer (or football for our friends outside of the United States). But, his father, Hernan (Plana), has different plans. He wants Santiago to join the family business with him and help secure their family financially. But, when Santiago gets the chance to try out for Newcastle United, he jumps at the chance and, using money his grandmother (Colon) gives him, he secretly jets off to achieve his goal. However, he soon realizes that becoming a professional soccer player is not as easy as it looks and that his father may have been right. As things begin to turn into a roller-coaster of highs and lows, Santiago realizes that he must first believe in himself before anyone else will. Ah, this is such a lovely plot. It's simple and, though not brain surgery or anything, it serves its purpose--which is to entertain and to inspire. Yes, it is about as clichéd and predictable as they come, but it still kept me entertained. Do I sound as though I am contradicting myself? If so, then you have just understood my point. Movies like "Goal! The Dream Begins" are entertaining movies (for the most part) and I certainly enjoy watching them, but they are still clichéd and ripped off of nearly every other movie that came earlier.
The cast does an exceptional job. Kuno Becker gives a wonderful breakout performance and really holds his own, which surprised me. He is just a very solid actor. Alessandro Nivola, who starred in my favorite film of last year, "Junebug", really showcases his versatility as an actor here. Who knew he has such a profound talent? Anna Friel serves as the love interest for Becker's character and, though underused somewhat, she too does exactly what is asked of her. The remainder of the cast does admirably. As I have said, "Goal! The Dream Begins" is a paint-by-numbers drama that really brings nothing new to the table. In fact, you have seen all of this before. But, like "Take the Lead" did earlier this year, "Goal! The Dream Begins" manages to transcend its genre and, while remaining predictable, it is far better than it should be. Well-acted, stylishly-directed, and competently-written, "Goal! The Dream Begins" is a movie that is so much more entertaining than its clichéd concept suggests. Will you see every plot twist coming from a mile away? Yes. Will you know the ending even before the opening credits are over? You better believe it. But, will you be completely entertained and fulfilled at the end? Most definitely.
Final Thought: Predictable and clichéd, "Goal! The Dream Begins" brings nothing new to its genre but it is still a very good movie with lots of fun to be had.
Overall Rating: 7/10 (B+)
Directed By: Danny Cannon
Starring: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Tony Plana, Miriam Colon, & Alfredo Rodriguez
MPAA Rating: "PG" (for language, sexual situations, and some thematic material including partying)
I feel as though I have written this review before. Come to think of it, I feel as though I have seen this movie before. Oh wait! I have a hundred times before. "Goal! The Dream Begins" fits so comfortably in the mold of its genre that one could almost imagine that it used the exact same outline as such films as "Stick It", "Take the Lead", "Akeelah and the Bee", "Bring It On: All or Nothing", and so many more. I can see the thought process that the filmmakers used when coming up with this idea. (Insert Name Here) is a true underdog who wants to excel at (inset sport and/or competition here), but (insert potential problem here) stands in his (or her) way. Can he (or she) overcome the obstacles and achieve (insert award name or honor here). Movies like these have been saturating the market lately yes, even more so than PG-13 remakes of horror classics. It seems as if every week we see another one of these types of films and, I must say that it is getting redundant. It is easy to see why. The layout of these films has already been pre-set and all filmmakers must do is insert different characters and achievements for them to work towards. How many more movies can they make? I guess when they must resort to using winning a paddleball competition as the achievement, they might just hold off for a while. But, alas, until then, we will continue seeing these. The latest (or one of the latest) is "Goal! The Dream Begins". Everything you need to know about this film is in the title. "The Dream Begins" sums it all up rather nicely, if I do say so myself. As it does not say "The Dream Ends", we must assume that our main hero succeeds in doing whatever it is he desires to do and that this movie paves the way for a long and successful career for out said hero. Come on! You know you knew that already.
The hero of this movie is Santiago Munez (Becker), an illegal immigrant from Mexico who dreams of playing soccer (or football for our friends outside of the United States). But, his father, Hernan (Plana), has different plans. He wants Santiago to join the family business with him and help secure their family financially. But, when Santiago gets the chance to try out for Newcastle United, he jumps at the chance and, using money his grandmother (Colon) gives him, he secretly jets off to achieve his goal. However, he soon realizes that becoming a professional soccer player is not as easy as it looks and that his father may have been right. As things begin to turn into a roller-coaster of highs and lows, Santiago realizes that he must first believe in himself before anyone else will. Ah, this is such a lovely plot. It's simple and, though not brain surgery or anything, it serves its purpose--which is to entertain and to inspire. Yes, it is about as clichéd and predictable as they come, but it still kept me entertained. Do I sound as though I am contradicting myself? If so, then you have just understood my point. Movies like "Goal! The Dream Begins" are entertaining movies (for the most part) and I certainly enjoy watching them, but they are still clichéd and ripped off of nearly every other movie that came earlier.
The cast does an exceptional job. Kuno Becker gives a wonderful breakout performance and really holds his own, which surprised me. He is just a very solid actor. Alessandro Nivola, who starred in my favorite film of last year, "Junebug", really showcases his versatility as an actor here. Who knew he has such a profound talent? Anna Friel serves as the love interest for Becker's character and, though underused somewhat, she too does exactly what is asked of her. The remainder of the cast does admirably. As I have said, "Goal! The Dream Begins" is a paint-by-numbers drama that really brings nothing new to the table. In fact, you have seen all of this before. But, like "Take the Lead" did earlier this year, "Goal! The Dream Begins" manages to transcend its genre and, while remaining predictable, it is far better than it should be. Well-acted, stylishly-directed, and competently-written, "Goal! The Dream Begins" is a movie that is so much more entertaining than its clichéd concept suggests. Will you see every plot twist coming from a mile away? Yes. Will you know the ending even before the opening credits are over? You better believe it. But, will you be completely entertained and fulfilled at the end? Most definitely.
Final Thought: Predictable and clichéd, "Goal! The Dream Begins" brings nothing new to its genre but it is still a very good movie with lots of fun to be had.
Overall Rating: 7/10 (B+)