Next Goal Wins (12A)

★★✭ Taka Waiti's Cool Runnings-esque comedy is the second film about the hapless American Samoa football team to be released under the title Next Goal Wins. If it was a match between the two, Mike Brett & Steve Jamison's 2014 documentary would easily win 31-0. ~ ManchesterTheatres.

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Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on a true story, Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamously known for their brutal 31-0 loss in 2001.

With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.

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★★★★ Waititi's winning, winsome film is his most accessible and mainstream movie to date, Marvel aside, one that successfully mixes in funny jokes with zeitgeisty social commentary. ~ BBC.

★★★★ While Next Goal Wins’ formation might not be anything particularly innovative, more than enough shots land on target. ~ Total Film.