Soul
Ratings: 3.5/5
Duration: 01 Hr 40 Mins
Language: English
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers
Writer: Pete Docter, Mike Jones, Kemp Powers
Producers: Kiri Hart, Dana Murray, Dan Scanlon
Music: Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Cinematography: Matt Aspbury, Ian Megibben
Editing: Kevin Nolting
Art Direction: Paul Abadilla
Release Date: 25 December 2020 (USA)
Released On: Disney+
Star Cast: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Questlove, Angela Bassett, Cora Champommier, Margo Hall, Daveed Diggs, Rhodessa Jones, Wes Studi, Sakina Jaffrey, Fortune Feimster, Calum Grant, Laura Mooney, Peggy Flood, Zenobia Shroff, June Squibb, Ochuwa Oghie, Jeannie Tirado, Cathy Cavadini, Dorian Lockett, Doris Burke, Ronnie Del Carmen, Esther Chae, Elisapie Isaac, Marcus Shelby, Jason Pace, Avery Kidd Waddell
Plot: Joe Gardner, an African-American lead (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a music teacher by profession gets an opportunity to work full-time at a school in New York, but this develops fear in him as he thinks that he will no longer be able to follow his passion for jazz music; and that he will no longer be able to fulfill his dream of playing in a famous jazz band. However, happiness stumbles in as an opportunity opens for him, which he could hardly believe.
Unfortunately, the cheerful musician does not notice the danger lurking around him - until he suddenly falls through an open manhole, and in the next moment, his soul transports out of his body. When Joe realizes this, he couldn't believe it and doesn't want to accept his fate. Therefore, he tries to escape, meanwhile, he meets up with a wandering infant soul named 22 (voiced by Tina Fey). It is his wild journey with many challenges that await him, which form the rest of the story.
Review: The director of the film Pete Docter has yet again managed to create an incredible world that explains life to us in an impressive way that we have never looked at before. From Up to Inside Out, WALL-E to Toy Story, he has helped set the standard that each new Pixar film competes with. Though the content is extensive and complex, he still manages to break down the essence of the plot into an easier-to-explain approach in order to enable children to understand.
The film ‘Soul’ focuses on the representation of the city of New York in all details, but despite all this broad plot, the story keeps reminding itself of the important focal point of Joe Gardner's life.
There are several hilarious moments and it is carried heavily by Joe and 22’s complex ever-changing and always entertaining dynamic. In short, it is a funny, surprising, and truly touching journey - towards becoming a fulfilled human being.
When it comes to voice over, it is excellent! Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey work well off of each other and the supporting cast of comedic talents such as Richard Ayoade and Rachel House is both funny, sparingly enough to not become too annoying.
And as far as the technical aspects of the film are concerned, the animation is stunning with all the usage of 2D characters especially being marvellous to look at.
What really stands out is the music! There is a blend between the Jazz score on the New York sections and the Trent Reznor / Atticus Ross score on the Great Before sections and both add an incredibly unique personality. Moreover, they are well-composed.
Overall, Pixar has always touched us with family adventures that speak about what it means to be human. Hence, ‘Soul’ leaves plenty of room for our own improvisations, producing a heartfelt, funny, and entertaining adventure with a brilliant finale that makes it a worthwhile sit!
