Movie Review: Soul
How Pete Docter’s “Soul” attempts a new route into children’s animation.
Photo courtesy of Disney Pixar
Caleb Smith, Staff Writer
In 2020, many movies were planning to release, but due to the pandemic, almost all of them were postponed. One of the many movies was Pixar’s “Soul”, which was originally intended to release in June 2020 but was later made available on Disney+ on Christmas Day. The movie is about a man named Joe Gardner who goes through a journey where he finally finds his chance to fulfill his passion, but something always goes wrong, and in his case, this could change his life forever. Joe ends up finding himself in the afterlife, contemplating his choices, and finally viewing his life from a new perspective. This movie is very different from Pixar’s original movies.
First, let’s look into how Pixar came up with this idea. Pixar originally had a movie idea set with 22, a soul who Joe meets in the afterlife. This version was solely about 22 in the Great Before—life before life on Earth—and her not wanting a life on Earth. In order to do this, they had to incorporate Earth for 22 to experience for herself. They later came up with the idea of Joe and his story to help 22 find hers. As this is Pixar’s first-ever Black male lead, it’s interesting to know that it wasn’t even their first choice for it to be about him. Apart from its originating story, “Soul” provided a monumental take on the Black community in terms of representation and diversity. It gives a genuine look at their lives, especially in the barbershop scene. The details were unique and contributing to the true feeling inside of a barbershop. The animation in this movie is arguably the best of Pixar yet. Additionally, Joe is given a passion for jazz music. As jazz music is rooted in the foundation of Black people, it was a great touch to add to the movie.
While the movie is beyond creativity and the beginning of more racially diverse animation, it also manufactures a theme that will, for the first time, resonate more with adults. Pixar has created phenomenal movies for children of all ages to laugh at and enjoy, but this one might be for an older crowd. “Soul” gives children a glimpse of a future that may be filled with disappointments and regret. When a Pixar movie is on, children should be able to enjoy the movie just as much as their parents, if not more. When you show children things they shouldn’t be worried about until older, it can change their way of thinking. The main characters are either old in body or in spirit and go through a journey of finding their purpose in life. While this adds a very deep and emotional meaning throughout the movie, it is also filled with lively, theatrical moments that make it all the more enjoyable.
Overall, “Soul” is a great movie. It gives people of all ages a look into a life that seemed to be falling apart, following alongside Joe and his true passion while helping someone find theirs as well. “Soul” goes beyond the traditional white, middle class, suburban lane that Pixar usually takes. It will take a historical interest with people of color truly getting to see what it’s like for someone like Joe to be the lead character. While the movie involves saddening and discouraging moments, it adds to the true depth of the story and makes it all worthwhile in the end. “Soul” will be a pillar for new and improved animation in the years to come.
