Review: Soul

Have you ever wondered what makes you… You?

Disney’s new Pixar film Soul looks at what influences our lives and makes us actually live.

Joe Garder (Jamie Foxx) is a middle school music teacher who dreams of being a big named jazz musician. When he finally gets a step closer to his life-long goal, Joe takes a fall causing his soul to be separated from his body and ends up in the Great Before. 

Joe runs through the afterlife, trying to escape. There he discovers how souls develop personalities and traits before being paired with their human bodies on Earth. 

Joe accidentally becomes a mentor to a soul in training named 22 (Tina Fey). 22 has a grim outlook on human life and struggles with multiple mentors to find her “spark” (the thing that makes you, you). Joe makes a deal with 22. He’ll help her find her spark and, she’ll give him her pass to earth; that way, she can stay in the Great Before. 

Like most Disney Pixar movies, Soul makes us ponder our existence. It makes us take a step out of our bodies and ask ourselves, “Are we really living?”

As always, the animation is perfection. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Pixar. The script is heartfelt and has a deeper meaning than what you see on the surface. It makes us feel all the things. Soul finds a way to tear us apart and put us back together.

The characters may be animated, but they feel as real as can be. Joe’s story will hit home for a lot of adults. And even though this story is centered around him, 22 is also a driving force. 

Tina Fey was the perfect choice for 22. They may joke about her sounding like a middle-aged white lady, but she brings the perfect wonderment and aloofness of a child trying to find their way.

In conclusion, Soul is a movie that has well… a lot of soul. And it’s truly something special.

Soul touches on what brings us down along with what builds us up. It’s an allegory of what happens when people can’t see your spark and how words can tear you down.

But it also shows how one person can be the light in the darkness. How someone can tell you you’re good enough and bring you out of the shadows to live for yourself.

Soul isn’t just a kids movie; it’s a life lesson told through hilariously adorable characters and pumping jazz music. It has a quick pace and constant humor to keep the beat of the film moving. Its colorful world of the Great Before and unexpected moments will bring giggles and joy to anyone watching. But it’s also heartwarming and will bring you a range of emotions. Soul is truly a perfectly crafted film from beginning to end.

So, round up your family, pop some popcorn, grab a comfy blanket, and stream Soul on Disney Plus Christmas Day.