Pixar movies have a deeper meaningful message behind the crazy worlds they create with crazier characters. Understanding emotions has become easier since we saw Inside Out and looking at the post-apocalyptic through Wall-E’s eyes only made us more aware of the problems today. From those creators comes Soul, where we get to explore whether there is a purpose to the life we live. Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) has dreams of playing the piano for a Jazz band, and while he can achieve his dream, he teaches at school. After much coercion from his mother, he accepts a full-time job at the school but at the same time gets an opportunity to audition for a Jazz band. The band likes him, and on his way home, he falls into an open manhole and wakes up in the soul world.
You can’t predict what will happen in this movie
Some scenes make you feel that you can predict what will happen next, but as soon as you go to the next scene, you realise you could not have predicted what comes next. The movie has very subtle messages, but it is all about finding and following your passion. The movie’s events happen in the course of a single day, and each minute of it is delightful.
Pixar is expanding representation, and we are all for it
There is an African-American man in the lead, and his race is not the main part of the movie. While we love movies like Coco and Moana that introduce us to new cultures, we would love to see varied characters in a metropolitan setting, and that’s what we get. This movie is also a treat for people who might like Jazz.
The support characters add a lot to the story
In the soul world, we meet Jerrys (Richard Ayoade, Alice Braga, Wes Studi) and Terry (Rachel House) who are in charge of the souls that come in once a person is dead and the souls that go out once they are ready to be on Earth. They are a vital part of the process and some of our favourite scenes involved these characters. Also, Joe’s mom Libba (Phylicia Rashad) has some wise words for her son and us.
WATCH OR NOT:
Soul is a feel-good movie that is perfect for a movie marathon with the family. If you find yourself contemplating life and its purpose at the end of 2020, this movie is for you.
Director: Pete Docter
Writer: Pete Docter, Mike Jones, Kemp Corners
Voice Actors: Jamie Foxx, Richard Ayoade, Alice Braga, Wes Studi, Rachel House, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad
Language: English
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
