NEW YORK (OSV News) – "Goat" (Sony) is an animated underdog sports comedy populated by anthropomorphized animals. While mostly inoffensive, and thus suitable for a wide audience -- including teens and older kids -- the film is also easily forgotten.

The amiable proceedings center on teen goat Will Harris (voice of Caleb McLaughlin). As opening scenes show, it has been Will's dream since childhood to play for his hometown team, the Vineland Thorns.

The inhabitants of Vineland and the other areas of the movie's world, however, are divided into so-called bigs and smalls, with professional competition dominated, unsurprisingly, by the former. Though Will stoutly maintains that he's a medium, those around him regard him as too slight and diminutive to go up against the towering bigs.

Despite this prejudice, a video showing Will more or less holding his own against a famous and arrogant big, Andalusian horse Mane Attraction (voice of Aaron Pierre), goes viral and inspires the Thorns' devious owner, warthog Flo Everson (voiced by Jenifer Lewis), to give the lad a shot. Though Will is understandably thrilled, his path forward proves challenging.

Will has idolized the Thorns' sole outstanding player, black panther Jett Fillmore (voice of Gabrielle Union), since he was a youngster. But Jett, it turns out, is not only frustrated by her situation as a star among misfits but scornful of Will's ambitions and resolute in helping to deprive her new teammate of playing time.

Given such divisions, the Thorns' fortunes seem destined to continue their long decline.

"Roarball," the invented game featured in director Tyree Dillihay's film, is essentially co-ed basketball by another name. As produced by, among others, NBA champion Stephen Curry, the movie -- adapted from an idea in Chris Tougas' book "Funky Dunks" -- is an unabashed celebration of hoop culture both on and off the court.

Viewers' enthusiasm may vary, accordingly, depending on the degree to which they're invested in the real-life sport.

Moviegoers of every stripe will appreciate the fact that the script, penned by Aaron Buchsbaum and Teddy Riley, shows the negative effects of self-centeredness as well as the value of teamwork and fan support. Plot developments also showcase forgiveness and reconciliation.

Will's story is, nonetheless, thoroughly formulaic and most of the screenplay's jokes feel strained and laborious. Still, while hardly qualifying as the Greatest of All Time, "Goat" does provide passable entertainment with little besides a few potty gags to concern parents.

The film contains brief scatological humor and at least one vaguely crass term. The OSV News classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. - - -CAPSULE REVIEW"Goat" (Sony)Animated underdog sports comedy populated by anthropomorphized animals in which a teen goat (voice of Caleb McLaughlin) finds his childhood dream coming true when he gets the opportunity to play for his hometown team. But the co-ed squad's star (voice of Gabrielle Union), whom he has long idolized, scorns his ambitions even as the division-ridden ensemble's fortunes continue their long decline. "Roarball," the invented game featured in director Tyree Dillihay's film, is essentially basketball by another name and the movie is an unabashed celebration of hoop culture both on and off the court. While the script, penned by Aaron Buchsbaum and Teddy Riley, shows the negative effects of self-centeredness as well as the value of teamwork and fan support, the amiable proceedings make for mostly inoffensive but also easily forgotten entertainment. Probably acceptable for older kids. Brief scatological humor, at least one vaguely crass term. The OSV News classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.- - -CLASSIFICATION"Goat" (Sony) -- OSV News classification, A-II -- adults and adolescents. Motion Picture Association rating, PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

- - - John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on X @JohnMulderig1.