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Goal! The Dream Begins

PG Released May 12, 2006 2h 1m Drama List
43% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Santiago Muñez, a Mexican cook in Los Angeles, gets a chance to follow his dream of playing professional soccer. A talent scout with contacts in the United Kingdom spots him and offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance: If he can find a way to England, he can try out for the Newcastle United team. Gavin Harris, a star player, takes young Santiago under his wing and helps him prove himself to his disbelieving father.
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Goal! The Dream Begins

Goal! The Dream Begins

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Critics Consensus

Impressive sports action sequences are the highlight, as the run-of the-mill story invokes every known sports movie cliche.

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Critics Reviews

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Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle The action on the field won't be enough to sate the most soccer-crazed viewers. Rated: 2/5 Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Trevor Johnston Time Out The combination of button-pushing uplift, sundry sweeping helicopter shots and a bombastic score that sounds like it came on a free transfer from a Tony Scott movie proves as resistibly synthetic as the CGI-enhanced heroics on the pitch. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review John Monaghan Detroit Free Press Everything here is beyond predictable. Rated: 2/4 Jun 9, 2006 Full Review Tom Dawson The List Of the actors, it's Alessandro Nivola in the role of a playboy midfielder who provides Goal!'s most entertaining performance. It's a pity then that the world he inhabits in the film is depicted in such cartoonish terms. Rated: 2/5 Apr 27, 2019 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) There is a bulky bundle of sports movie cliches to sort through here if you do intend to follow the rise of wizardly soccer winger Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker)... Rated: 2.5/5 Jun 15, 2018 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Director Danny Cannon ("I Still Know What You Did Last Summer") captures every bit of Kuno Becker's star quality although the committee-written script remains slack. Rated: B- Apr 19, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Osmar I lot of people give it low rating because they think the main part of the movie is football but its more than that. This movies gives hope to those undocumented players in the USA. It shows them that its possible to make it pro. Non Mexicans will do not understand this, but it really is a good movie, not just about soccer but following your dreams. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/23 Full Review Herry S Most original American dont understand to watch this film about English Premier League, This the best option to watch if you knew about all the E.P.L teams, I watch more than couple of times never be bored because more Football scene instead telling the story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/13/23 Full Review StephenPaul C The greatest 02 hours: and 01 minute ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/23 Full Review Jose R This film is a great inspiration towards younger audiences. It hits especially close to home for many second generation immigrants who can relate to Santiago and his struggles of following his dream despite the conflicting dream his father has placed on him. This feel good movie, despite being cliche and a bit predictable, offers a sort of inspirational tone, one similar to what younger kids perceive when they watch their star football player score a last minute goal to secure a championship. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/12/23 Full Review Garni S Mi infancia, la mejor Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/02/22 Full Review Liam D Sure it's cliched and it's Cheesy but the true British nature and respect for the sports make it a fun watch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/23/21 Full Review Read all reviews
Goal! The Dream Begins

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Santiago Muñez, a Mexican cook in Los Angeles, gets a chance to follow his dream of playing professional soccer. A talent scout with contacts in the United Kingdom spots him and offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance: If he can find a way to England, he can try out for the Newcastle United team. Gavin Harris, a star player, takes young Santiago under his wing and helps him prove himself to his disbelieving father.
Director
Danny Cannon
Producer
Mike Jefferies, Mark Huffam, Matt Barrelle
Screenwriter
Mike Jefferies, Adrian Butchart, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Distributor
Buena Vista
Production Co
Lawrence Bender Productions, Revolution Films, Touchstone Pictures, Milkshake Films
Rating
PG (Partying|Language|Sexual Situations|Some Thematic Material)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 12, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.3M
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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