Title: SOUL
Director: Pete Docter
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Questlove, and Angela Bassett
Movie length: 1 hour 46 minutes
Rating: PG
I have had little faith in anything Pixar related in the last few years, I mean the last film they released was called ONWARD which was a cute fantasy but nothing like Pixar films of the past. I have loved Pixar films since the original TOY STORY in 1995, in fact that is one of my all-time favorite animated films.
To be fair though I did get a little bitter when Pixar sold out to Disney in 2006 after the release of CARS which is one of my least liked animations from them. All the politics aside Pixar gave this new film of theirs some SOUL, pun intended. It had a pretty great story; it follows Joe a Jazz Musician that teaches at a middle school but wants nothing more than to follow his dream of being in the big time as a Jazz superstar. I don’t want to give any spoilers because the film barely made it out on Disney+, so I know there are some people out there that have yet to watch it.
I will say this though Joe is voiced by Jamie Foxx (RAY, DJANGO UNCHAINED) and he does a pretty great job with this character, it’s not Oscar worthy but hey for doing a voice over it’s not bad. The other main character in the film is 22 voiced by Tina Fey (30 ROCK, MEGAMIND), while I am not fond of her as an actress, she didn’t hurt this film with her voice.
The supporting cast is great too Angela Bassett (WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, BLACK PANTHER) voices a well-known Jazz saxophonist that Joe had admiration for. If I go too much more into detail about the film then there will be spoilers galore, and I don’t want to ruin a good watch you and your family.
I do recommend watching this film it was cute and fun, my kids liked it, but you may need some tissues for the ride.
Over all I give SOUL a 9 out of 10, it wasn’t a perfect film and I expected a lot more from the musical score in it, but it will still go on my list of Pixar greats, somewhere between THE GOOD DINOSAUR and UP.
SOUL is now available on Disney+
Do you plan to see the movie? Have you already? Let me know in the comments or chat with me on Twitter.
