"Life is full of possibilities. You just need to know where to look."
2020 has been one hell of a year and Pixar’s newest animated release, Soul (2020), has come at just the right time and is the warm comforting blanket that we all need right now.
When a down on his luck music teacher who can never seem to get his big break into the world of jazz literally hits rock bottom and dies, he finds himself heading towards the afterlife. Desperate for a second chance without taking life for granted, whilst also trying to help another lost soul to discover her passion and help her begin human life, he ends up on a mission to return to earth.
Pixar movies have always been brilliantly joyful and wildly colourful, and have always had strong messages when it comes to their films. Many of them have heartwarming stories that are metaphors for helping others and being a good person, and Soul is no exception. Feeling weirdly apt and arriving at just the right time, Soul carries a paramount message to live your life to the fullest, appreciate the little moments and do what you love.
At the centre of this film is Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, who are a great duo vocally and have a lot of chemistry, and the comedy they deliver makes this film really genuinely funny and enjoyable, for all audiences rather than exclusively being just for the young children.
It’s important to note that not only is this the first Pixar animation with a Black character at the centre of the film, but this is also Pixar’s first outing with a black-led creative team. With the likes of animator MontaQue Ruffin and script-writer Kemp Powers (among others) both being POC, it is a big step for black animation and has helped create a platform for POC stories to be told.
Maybe it’s because we are all so worn down and fed up with the events of 2020 at the moment, or maybe it’s because the film was just beautifully crafted, but this was terrific and a worthwhile watch to see out the year.