Soul (2020)

 

Darnit, not going to cry. Not. Going. To. Cry.

Curse you Pixar. 

'Soul' is the latest in a long line of excellent Pixar films, but this one does do things a little differently than before. Heck, this might be the first of their extensive catalogue that is more adult in theme and less focused on (albeit) great gags. Yes, there are still jokes here, but on the whole, this one is more focused on asking questions about life and how to live it, and it does so in a beautiful film that will leave hardly anyone unmoved. 

Can you gather it is friggin' good? 

Excellent.

Jamie Foxx is Joe, a music teacher who wanted to become a professional musician. He isn't overjoyed when he finally gets a steady job at a school, because it feels as though it might hamper his dream of one day just doing nothing but performing. Things change when he gets the chance to play with a renowned jazz saxplayer and he lands the gig. But in his enthusiasm, he doesn't look where he's going and unceremoniously falls down a manhole and, well, dies. 

However, his soul in the afterlife refuses to accept this, because he just had his chance of a lifetime, and he escapes to what is known as 'The Great Before', where souls are prepped before they are sent to Earth to be born. Here, he is coupled to 22, a soul that most definitely doesn't want to go to Earth. But they decide to help one another, as Joe thinks she can be his ticket back to his body and 22 thinks he can keep her in The Great Before a while longer. 

But then, they get transported back to Earth together, putting 22 in Joe's body and Joe in that of a cat. Yes, it is here that a lot of the goofy humour comes into play. But as Joe is so fixated on just getting his body back for this one chance, 22 discovers that there is more to Earth and life than she ever imagined. Joe doesn't see that yet and he blatantly pushes 22 away when she was so close to seeing the meaning of it all. Of course, it is then that he realizes that he's made mistakes and tries to correct this, culminating in him getting a second chance and learning something about life along the way.

Said like this, it doesn't feel all that special, but it is, thanks to the way it all plays out. The story suckers you in, as you start off with some goofy things, but gradually more and more serious questions and topics introduce themselves and you yourself start questioning life, the universe, everything. 

How meta would it be if they called 22 42? Just thinking out loud here for the Douglas Adams' aficionados.

The animation is always great with Pixar, but like with 'InsideOut', they surpassed themselves in the other realms. It's hard to describe, but it all looks absolutely stunning. The overseeing entities existing only in 2D is a nice touch as well and Terry will make you roar in laughter. 

Oh, and then there's the wonderful music! Jazz is the thread that holds it all together and that is cool, but the more ethereal filmscore by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is breathtaking. Just check the song that plays when 22 and Joe go to Earth for her true birth. If you can keep it dry then (your eyes, I mean), you are a damn sight tougher than me. 

Not that this is such a challenge, but still. 

'Soul' is yet again a most excellent entry in the long line of excellence that is Pixar. Yes, they've had a few duds, but considering the quality of the vast majority of their output, it's almost mindboggling. 

Highly recommended!