2020 I PG I 100mins I Dir: Pete Docter & Kemp Powers
A musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself.
Whilst it's no shock to see a Pixar film dealing with mature themes, this might be the first one where its story might actually be better suited to an older audience. With that said, there is of course a lot here for children and it is packed with humour. In particular a body swap section of the film that will surely have kids spitting out popcorn with joy.
It becomes repetitive complimenting Pixar on the quality of their animation but every single time they knock it out of the park. This film is of course stunning and impressively does a great job of including some contrasting animation styles for its different characters in a way which keeps things interesting and is relevant to the different characters and the world they inhabit.
It's great to hear such a range of accents in a Pixar film from such a diverse cast. This really manages to keep the film exciting, provides the biggest laughs and is especially funny when we hear the sound of such distinctive voices coming from some of the minimalist character design. Its an important and welcome choice from the team involved when dealing with a film about personalities and souls to show a sense of variety and the casting of Richard Ayoade, Graham Norton, Alice Braga and Rachel House are every bit as welcomed to prove this point as you'd imagine.
Soul definitely sits with some of Pixars best efforts and is as imaginative and fun as can be expected. It will certainly be a big help for parents when children ask the inevitable questions about life and death.
Written by
Joe Gist
STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Richard Ayoade, Rachel House
BEST QUOTE: “You can't crush a soul here. That's what life on Earth is for."
FUN FACT: The subway train Joe and Mr. Mittens are going on is numbered 2319, the same code in Monsters Inc. (2001) stating that a human sock has entered the monsters' world.
IF YOU LIKED: Inside Out, Onward
'Soul' Trailer