I’m a total sucker for anything Disney and Pixar. I’ll watch it even if I don’t think I’ll like it (which never ends up being the case). However, I do know that Pixar likes to pull on the heartstrings so I have to mentally prepare myself before I see it. My approach was no different with Soul. Starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, this film follows a man named Joe Gardener (Foxx), a music teacher and jazz enthusiast who unexpectedly finds himself separated from his soul after falling down a manhole. It’s his refusal to accept his fate that leads him to meet 22 (Fey). A self-glorified cynic, 22 does not share Joe’s enthusiasm for living on Earth. However, when Joe tries to reconnect his soul to his body, 22 ends up entering it instead while Joe inhabits the body of a therapy cat — and that’s all within the first fifteen minutes of the film. The rest of the movie follows both 22 and Joe as they discover what life is really about. More specifically, it leads them to find their purpose...
I’ll be honest, I had no idea what to expect from this movie. I hadn’t even seen the trailer, just the commercials on television. Basically, I knew what the characters looked liked but other than that, the story itself was going to be a mystery to me, and let me tell you, Soul did not disappoint. It’s so smart and witty without being in your face about it, but also full of surprises. For instance, within the first ten minutes of the movie, Joe falls down a manhole and essentially dies (a.k.a. he’s in a coma, but still). It almost made me turn it off because I was not mentally ready for a movie about the great beyond, but I’m so glad I stuck around. Instead of focusing on the afterlife, Soul put its focus on the complete opposite — celebrating life and the surprises it can bring. Watching 22 experience everything that life on Earth has to offer is heartwarming, hilarious, and all-around enjoyable. I found myself rooting for her time and time again throughout the entire film (and only 10% of that was because she's soooo. freaking. adorable.). In terms of surprises, Joe’s storyline did not end the way I initially thought it would. I was so certain that the end would find Joe realizing that he can’t live as the shell of a person he was becoming and instead live out his jazz dreams as a newly enlightened and confident young man. However, once again, Pixar proved me wrong. While Joe does get to experience his dream of becoming a professional jazz musician, he realizes that it’s not what brings him gratification. It’s playing for the love of music itself that makes him happy. That, and remembering 22’s infatuation with her life on Earth, inspires him to be better. Finally, just when you thought that this was where the movie was going to end, it shocks you again. Joe ends up going back to “the great beyond” and lets 22 takes his place on Earth because he realizes she had more purpose on Earth than he did. *Grabs tissue* I’m not crying, you’re crying…But don't worry, Joe gets his happy ending as well...
I absolutely loved the relationship between Joe and 22. Also, if you’re wondering if the scene at the end of the movie where they both “fly” down to Earth together, holding hands before Joe inevitably let's go, made me emotional — hell yes it did and I’m not even ashamed nor surprised. As I said, if Pixar doesn’t make you cry at least once in their films, then they haven’t created a successful movie. Both characters were so exceptionally written that it made me yearn for more of them by the time the credits rolled. 22 in particular is one character that I know many people will gravitate towards. Her cynicism made me laugh, but it wasn’t until we saw “her” experiencing life that I really began to love her. From eating her first slice of pizza to watching the clouds in the sky, this character really struck a (good) nerve with me. At the same time, Joe was so endearing as a character that I found myself mad at Pixar for handing me a character who isn’t real. I want Joe to be my friend and talk my ear off about jazz and its history. I also want him to teach me how to play the piano because I suck at it, but most importantly, I want both him and 22 to find each other on Earth again and live out the rest of their lives together. Are you listening, Pixar? I NEED a sequel!
Once again, Pixar managed to create a great movie with an even better message. While finding your purpose is important, it’s not the most important thing in life. If something consumes you to the point where you can’t even remember to “wake up and smell the coffee,” you’re doing life wrong. Life has got so much more to offer than just working yourself to death 24/7. Don’t make the same mistakes Joe Gardener did. Be more like 22 and find the magic in the mundane. Take that bite of pizza and savor it as if it were the first time. Remember that life is short and also — look out for manholes. They’ll be the death of you...
Soul is an incredibly sweet and thoughtful movie. Perfect for any age, but especially young children, it does a great job of explaining life and death in an interesting and uplifting way. In this two hour movie, you’ll get a great story with even better characters that will give you a subtle reminder about what is really important in life. What’s even more exciting is that they left the movie in a place that is just begging for a sequel and who wouldn’t want that? A+ for Pixar!
Did you watch this movie yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
***I do not own this photo.
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