Soul, the story of Joe Gardner, a musician who ends up transported out of his body, and has to find his way back is both what I expected it to be and not, simultaneously.
Starring Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and Daveed Diggs; what stood out most about Soul is how visually well-imagined it is. The look and feel had me fully engaged. Whether it was the barber’s fantastic beard, or what the surroundings and occupants of ‘the place in between alive and dead,’ looks and feels like.
Generally, all of Soul is good. However, I enjoyed it most during the scenes when Joe was in the ‘in-between place.’ It’s the conversations and the general cleverness of the details of those moments that impressed me most. I liked these scenes so much that I found I missed the setting when the story was elsewhere.
My main issue with Soul is how unclear the messaging seemed to be at a point or two towards the end. I don’t mean the messaging at the heart of the film; the one about Joe’s evolution/emotional journey. I’m referring to some moments of dialogue that weren’t as clear or easily understood as I’d come to expect from a Disney Pixar film.
Watch Soul for the highly intriguing concept. I wouldn’t say that I found it quite as clever, satisfying or comforting as Inside Out (2015). But it is worth watching. It also helps a little if you like Jazz.
Lastly, there’s beautiful piano music that happens after Joe’s all-important gig that you probably don’t want to miss.
Happy Film Loving
G
The Movie My Life 
I watched this Christmas morning. I really enjoyed it. I think my favorite moments were with the cat. ( I don’t want to give it away for those who haven’t seen it yet). Maybe because the cat reminded me of my kitty, lol. It was a different Pixar movie, but I’d watch it again.
The cat was fun and very cute! 🐈🤓
I too would watch Soul again. I need to see how I feel about and find out what I may have missed at first viewing.
I wonder what it would have been had the movie been set entirely in the ‘in between place’ and or whatever was beyond the lights at the end of the escalator.
Yes, I would have liked to have seen that explored more as well.
It is a pity that this animation does not reach the heights of Inside Out, but since I love jazz and the concept is very interesting, I will definitely watch it!
Enjoy it! I certainly hope you get more out of it than I did. Something tells me I’ll eventually watch it again some months from now. In which case I wonder if I’ll feel the same about it then.
Happy new year to you and yours! 🥳