I’ll be honest with you. I put off watching Soul for weeks because I thought it was just another animated movie. Boy, was I wrong.
When I finally sat down to watch it in 2020, it hit me harder than I expected. This Pixar film from directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers stars Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, and Angela Bassett. It runs about 100 minutes and carries a PG rating. But don’t let that fool you.
I’m writing this review because Soul made me rethink some big questions about my own life.
Let me tell you why this film matters more than you might think.
Storyline Overview
Soul follows Joe Gardner’s unexpected trip between life and death, forcing him to question what really matters in the time we have.
The Premise
Joe Gardner teaches middle school music but dreams of playing jazz professionally. He finally gets his big break. A famous musician invites him to perform that night.
Then he has an accident. Joe finds himself headed to the Great Beyond. He’s not ready to die. Not when his dream is this close.
He ends up in the Great Before instead. This is where souls develop personalities before birth. Joe must mentor a soul named 22 who has never wanted to live on Earth.
Themes Explored
The film asks big questions. What makes life worth living? Is it finding your one purpose?
Joe chases his jazz dream. He thinks performing will make him feel complete. But 22 doesn’t see the point of living at all.
Their friendship changes them both. Joe realizes he’s been missing something important. Small moments matter. The taste of pizza. Autumn leaves. Good conversations.
The movie shows how we can get so focused on goals that we forget to actually live. Joe has been chasing his dream for so long that life has passed him by.
Characters and Performances
The voice actors bring real emotion to these animated characters, making you forget you’re watching a cartoon at times.
Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx)
Joe is obsessed with becoming a professional jazz pianist. He’s spent his whole life waiting for this moment. Everything else feels like a waste of time to him.
Jamie Foxx captures Joe’s frustration perfectly. You hear it in every line. This is a man who feels like life has passed him by.
Joe changes throughout the film. He starts seeing things differently. Foxx handles these quiet realizations really well. You feel Joe’s confusion, sadness, and finally his acceptance.
The performance feels genuine. Foxx makes you care about a guy who’s been pretty selfish.
22 (Tina Fey)
22 is Joe’s opposite. She doesn’t want to live at all. She’s been in the Great Before for thousands of years, refusing to go to Earth.
Tina Fey brings humor and vulnerability to the role. 22 is sarcastic and cynical. But she’s also scared, not just stubborn.
22 asks questions Joe has been avoiding. What’s so great about living? Why does everyone need a purpose? Her perspective challenges everything Joe believes.
Supporting Cast
Angela Bassett voices Dorothea Williams, the jazz legend who gives Joe his chance. She brings warmth and authority that shows why Joe respects her so much.
Phylicia Rashad plays Joe’s mother. She’s proud but worried he’s wasting his life. Rashad makes her feel like a real mom. Loving but concerned.
The supporting characters ground the story. They remind us Joe’s choices affect real people around him.
Animation and Visuals
Pixar outdid itself with Soul’s animation. The characters move naturally. Their faces show real emotion. You can read exactly what they’re feeling.
The afterlife scenes look completely different from Earth. The Great Before uses abstract shapes and soft colors. It feels peaceful but also kind of empty. The spiritual realm is minimalist and calming.
New York City looks incredibly realistic. The streets feel lived in. The subway stations, the barbershops, the jazz clubs. They all have that authentic New York energy.
The color choices tell the story too. Earth scenes are warm and vibrant. The afterlife is cooler and more muted. This contrast shows the difference between living and existing.
Music and Soundtrack
The music in Soul isn’t just background noise. It’s part of the story itself.
Jazz as the Soul of the Film
Jon Batiste composed the jazz pieces for this movie. The piano sequences feel authentic. Not Hollywood jazz. Real jazz.
When Joe plays piano, you understand why he loves it so much. The music expresses what words can’t. His passion comes through in every note.
Jazz shows us who Joe is. When he’s playing, he’s fully alive. He’s present. This becomes important later in the film.
Sound Design and Audio Experience
New York City sounds real. The subway rumbles. Street traffic. People talking over each other. The city feels alive through audio alone.
The music pulls you into Joe’s emotions. When he’s excited, the jazz is energetic. When he’s lost, it becomes contemplative.
The contrast between Earth’s noise and the afterlife’s quiet is striking. It makes you appreciate both the chaos and the calm.
Critical Reception
The soul got people talking. Critics loved it. Audiences had mixed feelings.
Professional Critics
RogerEbert.com gave the film high praise. Matt Zoller Seitz called it thoughtful and culturally aware. He appreciated how the film handled Black culture and jazz authentically.
Seitz pointed out some minor issues. The film gets heavy at times. Some concepts might confuse younger viewers. But he considered these small problems in an otherwise strong film.
Professional critics agreed this is Pixar at its most ambitious. The animation is top tier. The themes are deeper than most animated films.
Audience Reviews
InTheEyesOfLiz gave Soul a 9.5 out of 10. She found it emotional and reflective. The film made her think about her own life.
Vaibhav Sridhar from Marcus High School rated it 9 out of 10. He appreciated the film’s honesty. It doesn’t talk down to kids.
But Disnerd Movie Challenge gave it a 6 out of 10. They felt the ending was confusing. The pacing dragged. For casual viewers, Soul asks too much.
Overall Consensus
Most agree the performances are strong. The cultural representation feels authentic. The messages about life resonate.
But the film divides audiences. The ending leaves some satisfied and others frustrated. The pacing feels slow to viewers wanting more action.
The soul makes you think. That works for some people. For others, it’s too heavy for a family movie.
Final Rating
Professional critics rate Soul between 8.5 to 9.5 out of 10. Audience scores vary more widely, from 6 to 9.5 depending on expectations.
I’m giving it a solid 9 out of 10. It’s not perfect. The pacing drags occasionally. But the depth and honesty make up for it.
This film works best for adults and older kids who enjoy thoughtful stories. Jazz lovers will appreciate the music. Families open to deeper conversations will get a lot from it.
If you want simple entertainment, skip this one.
Conclusion
Soul is different from most Pixar films. It doesn’t give you easy answers. It asks hard questions about life, purpose, and what actually matters when our time runs out.
The film handles Black culture with respect. The philosophy feels real, not preachy. And the animation is some of Pixar’s best work.
I’ve watched Soul three times now. Each time, I notice something new about my own life. That’s rare for an animated movie.
You can stream it on Disney Plus right now. Give it a watch. Sit with it afterward. Let it make you think. You might see your own life a little differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soul appropriate for young children?
Soul is rated PG and safe for kids. However, the themes about death and life purpose might be hard for young children to grasp. It works better for ages 8 and up.
Do I need to love jazz to enjoy Soul?
Not at all. The jazz music adds depth to the story, but the film is really about finding meaning in life. You’ll connect with the themes even if jazz isn’t your thing.
Is Soul based on a true story?
No, Soul is not based on real events. However, the film draws inspiration from real jazz culture and authentic experiences of musicians chasing their dreams in New York City.
Where can I watch Soul?
Soul is streaming exclusively on Disney Plus. You’ll need a subscription to watch it. The film was released directly to the platform in December 2020.
What is the main message of the Soul?
The film shows that life isn’t just about reaching one big goal. The small everyday moments matter just as much. Living fully means being present, not just chasing the future.
