Next Goal Wins (2023)

Watched in 2024 (128 movies items)

"16.7"

2024 Film Diary (298 movies items)

"Watched 06/07 "

An average movie

“Even though this movie eventually didn’t get much love when it was released, since it was available on Disney+, I thought I might as well check it out. Well, I have to admit that I haven’t seen the documentary it was based on but it was probably a good thing as it then allowed me to appreciate this movie more than it actually deserved. Anyway, it is definitely a nice little feelgood story but, to be honest, not really much more than that. You can feel that they, with such a director involved and with Michael Fassbender who was/is probably one of the best actors of his generation, they could have gone for something darker or wilder or stranger but, instead, they delivered something terribly generic and predictable. Seriously, even though Waititi tries to convince you by even narrating t” read more

“Unnecessarily over dramatised retelling of a true story of hope, perseverance and dreams. The movie takes a lot of liberties with actual turn of events but doesn't improve on the story. Watch the 2014 documentary of the same name.” read more

“With the 2014 documentary Next Goal Wins bringing the story of the American Samoa soccer team into the mainstream, a film adaptation was virtually ine”

Regrettably falls short of its potential

“With the 2014 documentary Next Goal Wins bringing the story of the American Samoa soccer team into the mainstream, a film adaptation was virtually inevitable, especially since Hollywood loves true-life underdog tales. Finally arriving four years after principal photography (and after a round of reshoots), 2023's Next Goal Wins finds director Taika Waititi (who co-wrote the script with Iain Morris) undertaking another low-budget drama-comedy after his ill-advised return to Marvel with 2022's disastrous Thor: Love and Thunder. Next Goal Wins is a mostly charming watch, especially when Waititi concentrates on the amusing eccentricities of American Samoa life, but it does not quite coalesce into the emotional, uplifting sports story it is clearly striving to be. With noticeable editorial inter” read more

Movies Viewed in 2024 (390 movies items)

" First Viewing Viewing Date: March 3rd Via: Apple TV Plot: After a new coach is assigned to them, the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team hope to change their fortunes at the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Just scoring a single goal for the first time in the team's history would be considered a victory. Rating: 6.6/10 Why Did I Watch It? I couldn't be bothered seeing it at the cinema, but as soon as it appeared on iTunes, I bit."