Soul
2020
Directed by Peter Docter and Kemp Powers
Madeline L'Engle said "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children." Pixar always tackles subjects that are very difficult for adults to process, and anthropomorphizes feelings we didn't know we had. At least, that's been my experience. I know some people refuse to watch animation, but they are missing out on some very thoughtful films.
Pixar has come up with very depressing content, but this might be the darkest of the bunch. Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher, receives his first big break as a jazz musician. Because Pixar characters are not allowed to be happy, he immediately falls into a manhole and dies. Well, he's not really dead. There's a chance he can rejoin his soul with his body, if he is able to wrangle unruly soul 22, who doesn't want to come to Earth. If he is able to find soul 22's spark, he can use their Earth pass to come back. It's trippy.
I am here for the Jaime Foxx/Tina Fey pairing. They had great comedic chemistry and emotional depth which is doubly impressive given that they weren't in the same room when they were saying their lines. The visuals are obviously stunning.
I still don't think this is the best offering from Pixar, but you'll still get a good cry out of it.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Tina Fey helped write her character's lines.
Elements of the Great Before share similarities with the Mormons' views on pre existence.
First Disney movie to be released straight to the streaming service.
