This year has been one of those years that we’ll be talking about for decades to come. It’s been so overwhelming as an adult, so I can’t even imagine the stories my kids will tell when you have children of their own. This year has taken so much away from many of us, for me it stole some joy from my life. There are days I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel, trying to keep our son JB and the rest of my family safe. I couldn’t imagine a Pixar film would remind me that happiness and joy is all about we put our lives in perspective.
I’ll admit when I saw the preview for SOUL I thought it was a film about jazz music. Of course, I was excited because I’m always excited about movies that showcase representation. It matters for telling stories, history, and giving our children characters they can admire and see themselves represented. I was crying within the first five minutes of the movie. And let’s be honest, Pixar can have that effect on you.
In the introduction scene, we follow Joe Gardner through his daily mundane routine of teaching music, visiting his mom, and learning that he finally earned a full-time position at his current teaching job. He always dreamed of playing jazz music in a band, and when he finally earned a spot playing with one of his idols, he, unfortunately, passed away.
I couldn’t believe that after he achieved his goal, it was all over. That was just the beginning of the film. I couldn’t imagine what could follow that would make me not focus on him losing his chance. For the rest of the movie we see he’s focused on getting back to his body and playing with the band, he earned the job with.
Joe finds himself in the beginning stage where souls earn their personalities and earn their earth pass. He tries everything to return to earth but nothing works. He decides to hide as a mentor and ends up paired with 22, an unmatched soul who’s determined to not ever leave the starting realm and go to earth. She and Joe hatch a plan to help her stay and get him the earth badge he needs to return to earth. He soon discovers that it’s no easy task since 22 hasn’t had a mentor help her find out her spark to earn the badge.
On Christmas morning be sure to enjoy a fun family movie with those you love. You’ll want to be one of the firsts to enjoy this instant class SOUL. It’s one of those movies you’ll want to see over and over again.
About Disney Pixar’s SOUL
What is it that makes you…YOU? Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new feature film “Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks, and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.
Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), co-directed by Kemp Powers (“One Night in Miami”) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray, p.g.a. (Pixar short “Lou”), Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” will be available exclusively on Disney+ (where Disney+ is available) beginning Dec. 25, 2020.
