Critics Unanimously Declare Next Goal Wins as Taika Waititi's Triumph

Summary

Critics are saying that Next Goal Wins is reasonably charming and funny but falls short of being a winner due to its blandly generic story.

Coach Thomas Rongen endeavors to lead the American Samoa national team, the underdogs, towards triumph in the movie. The remarkable cast of Next Goal Wins includes Michael Fassbender, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss.

Next Goal Wins, the latest film from acclaimed director Taika Waititi, has received its first reviews. Inspired by a real-life story, the movie follows the journey of coach Thomas Rongen, played by the talented Michael Fassbender, as he guides the underdog American Samoa national team towards an unexpected victory. Alongside Fassbender, the film features a stellar cast including Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss.

Having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, ahead of its official release on November 17, Next Goal Wins has sparked the curiosity of critics who wasted no time in sharing their initial impressions. While most critics found the film charming and humorous, opinions are divided on whether it truly stands out, with some criticizing its reliance on familiar storytelling tropes and lack of depth in character development. Below are excerpts from select reviews for a closer look.

Ross Bonaime, writing for Collider, notes that Next Goal Wins follows a familiar formula for sports comedies. It includes typical elements such as training montages, the introduction of promising new players, and inspirational speeches. Bonaime mentions that even the notable speeches in the film are borrowed from Taken and Any Given Sunday. In essence, the story can be likened to The Mighty Ducks, but set on a soccer field in American Samoa. While the film is not necessarily bad, Bonaime expresses disappointment that director Taika Waititi, known for his innovative genre exploration in previous works like Eagle vs. Shark, What We Do in the Shadows, and Jojo Rabbit, did not bring the same fresh perspective to Next Goal Wins.

Peter Debruge, writing for Variety:

Going to see a film titled "Next Goal Wins" won't offer any surprises. In fact, if you've ever watched a movie before, then you've essentially already seen "Next Goal Wins." It doesn't necessarily have to be the specific 2014 documentary that Waititi and co-writer Iain Morris based their remake on. It could be any sports film like "The Mighty Ducks" or "Major League." Even if your only cinematic experience is "The Human Centipede," you can still predict the direction "Next Goal Wins" is headed. Despite this predictability, it doesn't mean you won't find enjoyment in embarking on a journey that is signposted from a mile away, much like cruising at a steady 20 mph in a 35 mph zone.

Waititi's heavy reliance on comedy undermines character development in his work. The narrative rhythm is disjointed, with the practice sequences in Next Goal Wins feeling obligatory and the moments of the teammates attempting to uplift Thomas feeling strained. The film's attempts to showcase the personality and traditions of the American Samoans are undermined by using them as a means to mock the ignorance of white outsiders like Thomas.

Pete Hammond, Deadline:

A real commercial crowd pleaser... Yes, this heartfelt movie fits right in with the well-overworked Hollywood sports movie formula.

Next Goal Wins, directed by Taika Waititi, strays from the conventional sports movie formula in several ways. Despite having a team filled with potentially interesting and diverse characters from the American Samoa lineup, Waititi focuses solely on developing one of them. The rest, like Tavita’s son Daru (Beulah Koale) and disgraced former goalie Nicky Salapu (Uli Latukefu), receive minimal screen time and are reduced to one-dimensional personalities.

In a broader sense, the film consistently fails to deliver when it ventures into serious territory, such as during a third act speech where Thomas' tragic backstory is unveiled. This issue is not typically observed with Waititi's filmmaking, particularly in his skillfully balanced creation, "Hunt for the Wilderpeople." However, in this instance, he appears to be intent on undermining emotional impact through the use of humor or referencing other films.

Is Next Goal Wins the End of an Era for Taika Waititi?

Currently, Next Goal Wins holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 72%, maintaining its Fresh status. However, this falls short compared to Waititi's previous lower-budget projects in the 2010s: Boy (88%), What We Do in the Shadows (96%), and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (97%). This lukewarm reception may potentially trigger a significant turning point in his career.

Next Goal Wins marks Waititi's departure from blockbuster filmmaking. While he initially gained recognition for his smaller-scale works, his recent focus has been on high-profile projects such as Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and an upcoming Star Wars film. If Next Goal Wins fails to achieve critical and commercial success, Waititi might temporarily abandon lower-budget projects and solely dedicate himself to larger, tentpole movies in the foreseeable future.

The Next Goal Wins true story might mirror the narrative of the film itself in the end. Similar to the underdog team at its core, the movie has the potential to become a box office success despite the mixed reactions. Whether or not this will happen remains to be seen, but Waititi has consistently demonstrated his talent for resonating with audiences throughout his career.