Soul is an animated metaphysical dramady, the latest from Pixar. Middle school music teacher Joe(Jamie Foxx) is stuck at his job and in his life, he aspires to be a working jazz musician but never got his shot. After a promising audition Joe is set to fulfill his dreams but falls down a manhole cover. He finds himself on the path to the 'Great Beyond' but is determined to return to Earth, he escapes and accidently becomes a 'mentor' for an unborn soul, 22(Tina Fey), who agrees to try to help him get back to his life.
Foxx gives a wonderfully layered and emotive vocal performance. It paired with the animation convey one of the rawest most fully rounded human portrayals to come from Pixar. Fey is good as 22 and the growth of the character is inexplicably tied to the journey of Joe but either her performance or the character garner less engagement than was intended. The supporting cast is absolutely stacked with talent and they all deliver- Rachel House as Terry the soul accountant is incredible, Donnell Rawlings as Dez the barber brings a gust of energy and compassion, Phylicia Rashad as Libba Joe's mother is familiar but surprising, the list goes on.
The cast is peerless but the music brings the film to life, diegetic and non-diegetic music weave in and out of the story with effortless but evocative fluidity. The themes and ideas are so rich and human, the visuals, especially the various 'afterlife' renderings feel so fresh and textured. It's a truly inspiring feat they've pulled off given the tightrope of plot that could easily go from thoughtful to bleak to maudlin. If there is a fault it is that it is, perhaps, too adult for some of the youngest viewers in the household.
Pixar's boldest, dexterous film in years.
Currently streaming on Disney+
Don't Miss It.
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