"Taika Waititi's 'Next Goal Wins': A Silly Sweet Victory for Indigenous Storytelling"
Taika Waititi's "Next Goal Wins" attempts to retell the inspiring true story of the American Samoa soccer team's transformation from the worst team ever to a competitive squad. However, Waititi's presence as both the narrator and a character in the film, along with his signature absurdist humor, overshadow the storytelling and undermine the film's feel-good narrative. The movie also faces criticism for its handling of a transgender character and the clash of tones. Despite good intentions, "Next Goal Wins" falls short of its potential as a sports comedy.