This film is a wonderful testament to giant dreams. Set in the high contrast of Los Angeles, Ca & Newcastle, England, “Goal!:The Dream begins” sets the sensational world of football, aka soccer, on the big screen, inviting many young and old, to follow the dream of a young man, “Santiago Munez”, ( played by Kuno Becker), pursuing a once in a lifetime shot at making a giant European club.

My decision to watch the film was a landslide, considering the majority of my readers and friends know I’m a futbol afficinado. My intensity and passion for the sport is actually meager compared to some of my futbol compatriots. Learning that this film would be the first of three parts, I was eager to see in which direction director Danny Cannon would take the film. Though I was somewhat cautious of how, if you will, “cheesy” the film might be, I was joyously surprised at the depth of character, plot, and “real” drama the film exposed. However, don’t expect any more than heartwarming sensability and some great action. The story is comprised to elicit a mood of hope and promise, and it succeeds plenty.

Though such a situation within the premise of the movie may almost be slim-to-never having a shot at probability-fiction, the essence of hope the movie embraces is a valid reason to take a young nephew or niece, brother or sister, or any soccer fan for that matter, to watch the film: (Beckham, Raul, and Alan Shearer make some nice cameos, and I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw Zidane on the big screen. I’m still a kid at heart when I see my heroes).

I happen to believe that futbol is the purest sport on earth. There is nothing else like it that involves fair play, mesmerizing action, and a worldwide obsession. It’s a game embraced on almost every continent; favored as a national past-time by countless nations; instituted as the only institution to follow. This film, especially in America, can do wonders for youngsters searching for a dream; searching for a global art that children across all plains can share. The film is a wonderful addition to this year’s family film selections, and will leave children yearning for a soccer pitch.

Showtimes across Los Angeles.

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