Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
This Disney Pixar film is currently streaming on Disney+. It became the first feature-length film from Pixar to be released via streaming, rather than a large theatrical release. Soul is also the first Pixar film to feature an African-American protagonist.
The Analysis:
The movie is centered around a middle school music teacher named Joe Gardner, who dreams of making it as a jazz musician, just like his late father. Moments after reluctantly telling his mother that he will accept a full time teaching position, he gets a phone call that could be his big break in the jazz scene. Joe is so excited that he carelessly walks through the streets, failing to avoid a giant manhole. His soul gets separated from his body, and he is on his way to “The Great Beyond” of the afterlife. Refusing to die before he gets a chance to play his gig, Joe must navigate the “The Great Before”, where souls develop their personality before being sent to Earth. After obtaining a mix of personality traits, souls must find their “spark” or a moment of inspiration, which is the final piece of the puzzle that ensures a soul is ready to go down to Earth. When Joe is assigned to help Soul #22 find their spark, it leads to an adventure that Joe and 22 never expected.
Soul features a funny and charming cast of characters, with diverse viewpoints and experiences. I loved the original ideas about the afterlife and the “before”. The movie was spiritual without being directly religious or following a particular set of established beliefs. The movie inspires the viewer to appreciate the little things in life and not get so tied up with pursuing our goals that we forget to live in the meantime. If we stop hyper-fixating on the future, we can find satisfaction from the things around us in the present.
One interesting observation: this doesn’t exactly feel like a kids movie. Sure, it has fun animation, a talking cat, and some silly scenes. However, the themes of purpose, personality, and fulfillment feel very mature compared to what I am used to in a Pixar film. I related to the struggles of the main characters more than a typical child would. I’m not sure if Pixar thought more adults would be watching due to the pandemic or if they have just figured out that parents are more willing to rewatch their movies 1000 times with their kids if they can also relate to the message. Regardless of the intended audience, this movie is inspiring for anyone who has ever felt lost on their path or even dissatisfied with what they thought would make them happy. Soul was not the most incredible Pixar film I’ve seen, but it is a good, family appropriate movie that can certainly be appreciated by adults as well.
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