Goal 2: Living The Dream

Review by Sean Lynch

The Lord of the Rings has a lot to answer for. I don't care what the geeks have to say - but they've ruined the movie business.

Not only do we have to endure countless cheap and shoddy rip-offs week after week, but it seems that the only way a movie can be made these days is if it's part of a friggin trilogy... whether people want more or not!

Such is the case with the Soccer themed Goal 2. While by no means a bad movie - it's somewhat unnecisary. As the story goes, before the first frame was even shot on Goal!,  it was decided that it would be a trilogy.

The thing is, the first film only performed average-at-best, while the UK release of this film did even worse. So will the third instalment hit cinemas... despite the fact no one even cares about Santiago's story as it is. Is it suffering from a case of the "Golden Compass"?

Living The Dream picks off where the first film left off, with Real Madrid beckoning for the Toon Army's favourite player: Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker). Whilst his fiance, Roz,(Anna Friel) plans their wedding in Newcastle, he realises every footballer's dream and gets to wear the legendary white shirt alongside David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Raul.

Mirroring the paths of many footballing legends before him, Santiago, in the second part of the trilogy, basks in the glory, the acclaim and the money, only for this illusion of happiness to be shattered and his life destroyed. As the fame hungry, avaricious and beautiful Jordana seduces our aspiring Galactico, his past is closing in to catastrophic results.

There is a certain novelty to it all, espeically the inclusion of real sports fields and players - and much like the first flick - its actually a pretty enjoyable sports flick (think The Mighty Ducks minus Gordon Bombay). Whether or not it needs another sequel remains to be seen, but for those who do sneak into theatres, you won't be disapointed.

3 out of 5

Goal II : Living The Dream
Australian release: 22nd May, 2008
Cast: Kuno Becker, Stephen Dillane, Anna Friel, Leonor Varela
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Website: Goal 2