'GOAT': Vijay Shines in Venkat Prabhu's Nostalgic Action Entertainer

In the world of Tamil cinema, where star power often takes center stage, the issue that most people have with tentpole films is the repetitive nature of the protagonist’s on-screen persona. However, in the case of Venkat Prabhu and Vijay’s first collaboration, “The Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT), the more of the same approach doesn’t seem so bad, especially when the director’s innovative touch and the current desensitization of Tamil audiences to bloodshed are taken into account.

GOAT is a throwback to the jolly full-meals films that a generation of millennials grew up watching. While the film is not entirely blood-free, the ahimsa is limited to the name of the hero, MS Gandhi, an anti-terrorism squad officer who works with top-secret RAW stuff. As Gandhi’s work makes him a stressy globetrotter, the film revolves around his efforts to balance his family life and his dangerous job.

The first half of the film moves at a breakneck pace, leaping from an expecting family in Delhi to an anti-India riot in Russia to a swarming IPL crowd at Chepauk stadium. This fast-paced approach works in the film’s favor, as Venkat Prabhu’s directorial stamp is evident not only in the way he frames scenes but also in how he frames the conflicts. The sound of the evening azaan revealing an important truth and the CSK jersey concealing another truth are just a few examples of the director’s innovative touch.

Vijay’s performance is a highlight of the film, as he glides through the dizzyingly fast ride with ease, his de-aged face adding to the overall appeal. While the film doesn’t delve too deeply into Gandhi’s character, Venkat Prabhu, in typical fashion, showcases his gang of boys, with Prashanth’s Sunil standing out as a perceptive and supportive friend.

GOAT is a nostalgic film that pays homage to the successful full-meals entertainer model of the past. Venkat Prabhu includes subtle references to Vijay’s previous films, such as a framed picture from Vaseegara (2001) and nods to Mankatha and Ghilli, which act as tiny time capsules that bring smiles to the audience.

Moreover, the film packs in surprises with meta commentary about Kollywood’s future, which, while occasionally bordering on “cringe,” also allows the film to laugh at itself. GOAT is a successful attempt at reviving the full-meals model, blending action, comedy, and family sentiment in a way that caters to the current Tamil cinema landscape.

The Tamil-language sci-fi action film “GOAT” (The Greatest of All Time) features a star-studded cast. Here are the main actors: