Right away, Sony Animation sets a tone that’s fun and unpredictable. The world feels alive in a way that makes you want to lean in and pay attention. There’s a lot going on visually -bright colors, fluid movement, expressive character work- but it never feels like busy noise. It feels like fun.

A major reason GOAT works is its cast. This thing is stacked. Caleb McLaughlin leads with so much warmth that you instantly root for him. Gabrielle Union brings sharp and fresh energy that feels grounded and relatable. Nick Kroll and Patton Oswalt are genuinely funny without ever feeling like they’re trying too hard. Nicola Coughlan and David Harbour bring personality to every scene they’re in. Jennifer Lewis adds a steadfast, power-hungry presence as the team’s owner, making her feel surreptitiously wonderful. And Stephen Curry, in his first feature role? He fits smoothly into the mix, like someone who belongs here rather than someone who just showed up.

And that’s just the main cast! The supporting cast members also include a variable who’s who of names, including the talents of Jennifer Hudson, Jelly Roll, Bobby Lee, Sherry Cola, Eduardo Franco (another Stranger Things alum), Wayne Knight, and so many others. It feels a bit misleading to say supporting, however, as their roles prove to be just as vital as the rest of the main cast, as you’ll soon find out why.

But the best part isn’t just that these performers are great, but how well they all click together. The chemistry among the cast feels natural. They bounce off one another in a way that makes you forget you’re listening to “voices in a cartoon.” It feels more like a group of friends hanging out, cracking jokes, and figuring stuff out together.

Now, about the story. Yeah, there’s basketball. But GOAT is way more than a sports movie. It’s a story about community, about dreams that feel bigger than you are, about friends, and that community that rises up and becomes family. Every “supporting” character makes up that community, giving a more grand feeling to their inclusion and necessity to the film.

It’s about working toward something that scares you, and discovering you don’t have to do it alone. That shift away from “just sports” surprised me in the best way. It made the movie feel grounded and real, even as it leaned into the zanier animated moments.

By the time the credits rolled, I realized how completely this movie had won me over. What started as mild curiosity turned into genuine appreciation for a story that understands how powerful connection can be. GOAT never feels like it is trying too hard to impress you. It just tells its story with confidence, humor, and a lot of heart, and that sincerity carries it the whole way.

GOAT is the kind of animated film that sneaks up on you. It looks light and playful on the surface, then leaves you feeling unexpectedly full by the end. I went in uncertain. I left wondering why this movie was not getting talked about more.

I walked out thinking less about the game on the court and more about the people around it. The friendships, the support, the shared dreams, and the reminder that chasing something bigger than yourself is easier when you are not doing it alone. A joyful surprise and, without question, the best animated film I have seen so far this year.

Rating: 4.5/5 atoms

GOAT, starring Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, and Stephen Curry, makes its way on to the court in theaters everywhere this Friday, February 13th.

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At the heart of Thunderbolts* is the messy, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt chemistry between its characters. Every team member carries their baggage—terrible pasts, heavy regrets, and deep scars. Instead of smoothing those edges out, the movie lets them clash, crack jokes, and (occasionally) break each other’s walls down. Their banter feels real because their pain feels real. Whether it’s a sarcastic dig mid-mission or a brutally honest pep talk, these moments hit harder than expected.

Crucially, the humor lands exactly where it needs to be. Thunderbolts* find that elusive sweet spot: it’s funny without undercutting the emotions. The jokes come naturally from the characters and situations, not because the script forces a punchline. It’s sharp, it’s fast, and the cast’s delivery is pitch-perfect. When the story starts to feel heavy, the humor pulls you back in without breaking the movie’s darker undercurrent.

Thunderbolts* delivers broken heroes, sharp humor, and real heart as they band together against a threat way bigger than they bargained for.

And that darkness still matters, but Thunderbolts* plays it differently than you might expect. It’s not the team betraying each other that drives the tension—it’s them holding together against impossible odds. The real drama comes from these deeply flawed human characters facing a threat way above their power level. In a world built on distrust and survival instincts, seeing them stand side-by-side against a common enemy makes their fragile bonds feel even more powerful.

The ensemble cast is excellent across the board, but Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman steal the show. Pugh brings even more depth to Yelena Belova, layering her usual snark with moments of raw vulnerability and unexpected leadership. Meanwhile, Pullman delivers one of the film’s most emotionally resonant performances, grounding his character with nervous energy and aching sincerity. Together, they give Thunderbolts* its bruised, beating heart.

Overall, Thunderbolts* isn’t trying to be the biggest or flashiest Marvel movie. It’s something scrappier, grittier, and ultimately more human. It’s a story about second chances, bad decisions, and the strange, broken families you sometimes find when everything else falls apart. In a crowded superhero landscape, Thunderbolts* stands out by embracing the mess—and seeing real beauty in it.

Rating: 4/5 atoms

Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2nd.

The post Thunderbolts* Review – The Anti-Avengers Assemble in a Movie Full of Heart and Havoc appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

While the plot may follow some familiar underdog movie tropes, it doesn’t shy away from exploring Jann’s journey and his sacrifices for the thrill of the race. The screenplay successfully weaves together elements of competition, friendship, and the pursuit of excellence, adding depth to the film beyond its fast-paced exterior.

At the heart of the film is Archie Madekwe, whose charismatic performance adds depth to the character and serves as a compelling guide through the high-stakes world of professional racing. The supporting cast, including Orlando Bloom and David Harbour, sweetens the ensemble with incredible performances that capture the camaraderie and competition inherent in the racing culture.

Unfortunately, it’s a shame that we didn’t get more extended sequences of the races and only watch bite-sized versions of these exciting tracks. Instead, the film gets slightly bogged down by an unnecessary love story. That run time that was used to cover the love story could’ve been used to provide us with more racing sequences. After all, that’s what you’ve come to see.

Overall, Gran Turismo is a triumphant celebration of the beloved gaming franchise wrapped in an inspiring underdog story. It captures the essence of the virtual and real-life racing experience, delivering a cinematic joyride that will resonate with fans and entertain audiences seeking an adrenaline-fueled escape.

Movie Review: 3.5/5 atoms

Video

Gran Turismo hits Ultra HD Blu-ray with a native 4K, HEVC / H.265, Dolby Vision/HDR10 presentation with a 1.90 aspect ratio. The brightness levels are finely tuned to enhance realism without sacrificing details in this area. The picture also has inky blacks that create dramatic and immersive visuals. Colors burst forth with brilliance and intensity in the Gran Turismo Ultra HD Blu-ray. Also, the video renders each color with stunning accuracy and realism as the colors pop off the screen. Whether it’s the fine textures of road surfaces, the reflection of surroundings on car exteriors, or the subtle weathering effects, the detail quality in this release is excellent.

Video Review: 5/5 atoms

Audio

Gran Turismo hits Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos or a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio presentation if Atmos is not supported. This review will cover the Blu-ray’s Dolby Atmos mix. Prepare for an auditory racing experience as the Dolby Atmos takes Gran Turismo straight into your living room. The precision of dynamic pans adds a layer of immersion to the movie. Also, the audio dynamically shifts as vehicles move across the landscape, creating a three-dimensional auditory experience that places you right in the heart of the races.

Gran Turismo has some excellent overhead effects, from the thunderous roar of the engine to the subtle sounds of weather elements. Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski’s musical score adapts seamlessly to the pace of the race, enhancing the drama and excitement. The dialogue in Gran Turismo is delivered precisely, and every word is crisp and intelligible.

Audio Review: 5/5 atoms

Special Features

Gran Turismo doesn’t have any bonus features on the Ultra HD disc. However, you can find the following bonus features on the HD Blu-ray disc:

• The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough
• The Engine: Driving the Visuals
• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
• The Pit Crew: Action and Stunts
• The Garage: The Amazing Automobiles

Features Assessment

The Plan uncovers the intricacies of adapting this compelling real-life story to the screen. Additionally, it looks at the role of simulators in the training process. Unfortunately, you don’t learn more about Jann—only what you find in the film.  Budding filmmakers will get a kick out of The Engine. The feature delves into the film’s cinematography styles and Blomkamp’s vision for the film. The deleted scenes feature five scenes that offer a different perspective on pivotal moments in the movie. These scenes add an extra layer to the narrative. The Pit Crew feature goes behind the scenes, showcasing the adrenaline-fueled choreography and usage of practical effects that make the racing sequences so exhilarating. With The Wheels, this featurette looks at the ensemble behind Gran Turismo, featuring interviews and insights into the actor’s experiences on set. The Garage looks up close to the stunning cars that take center stage.

Special Features Review: 2.5/5 atoms

Overall, Gran Turismo is a film that fires on all cylinders. It’s an inspirational underdog sports film that never tries to reinvent the wheel but embraces it. The video and audio presentations are top-tier. Unfortunately, the special features are a bit lacking.

Overall Review: /5 atoms

Gran Turismo is now available in stores on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

This Blu-ray was provided by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for review purposes.

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That’s because Gran Turismo is a film that’s an amalgamation of almost every big underdog moment you’ve seen on film. It’s what you get when you distill Rocky and Ford v Ferrari with a pinch of Real Steel for good measure. These elements combine in an enjoyable (albeit highly predictable) underdog tale. The story also includes some underdeveloped subplots, which drag the movie longer than it should. 

Despite the paint-by-numbers storyline, Gran Turismo is a compelling and entertaining techno-sports human drama.

Nevertheless, the chemistry between David Harbour and Archie Madekwe drives the film (no pun intended). Nothing between them seemed forced, as their mentor-and-mentee relationship felt genuine. David Harbour is terrific here, having nearly perfected playing the washed-up character with a heart of gold. He’s never so arrogant and obnoxious that you don’t buy his growing relationship with Jann. Still, he carries enough of that burned-out, washed-up driver that his rough edges are also incredibly believable. It’s an excellent performance in an unexpectedly pleasing film. Madekwe is also rock-solid as Jann. Unfortunately, Orlando Bloom is under-utilized as Danny Moore. He doesn’t have much to do than be the guy in the shadows spearheading the GT Academy program.

Of course, we can’t talk about Gran Turismo without talking about the racing sequences. After a long hiatus from directing feature-length films, Neill Blomkamp is back to bring his visceral and unique visual flair to the film. Although the races aren’t as long as I’d hoped, Blomkamp and his cinematographer, Jacques Jouffret, use drone cameras and on-car camera rigs to give audiences the feeling of high-speed races. They’re highly reminiscent of Ken Block’s GYMKHANA videos.

Despite the paint-by-numbers storyline, Gran Turismo is a compelling and entertaining techno-sports human drama. Sure, there’s the David vs. Goliath angle to the film, but it’s more than that. There’s an actual heart to the story driving the film’s emotional plot. Gran Turismo may be a video game and sports movie, but the story’s heart comes through the drama of achieving your dreams.

Rating: 3.5/5 atoms

Gran Turismo hits theaters on August 25th.

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