{"id":6468,"date":"2020-12-23T03:36:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T10:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=6468"},"modified":"2021-01-14T14:24:04","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T21:24:04","slug":"soul-pixar-disney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2020\/soul-pixar-disney\/","title":{"rendered":"Soul * Probably One Of The Most Interesting Films Pixar Has Made"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.poster.jpg?resize=137%2C201&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6469\" width=\"137\" height=\"201\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn&#8217;t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz &#8212; and he&#8217;s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B. comments, \u201c<em>Soul <\/em>is probably one of the most interesting films Pixar has made. It takes a very complex and existential idea about the meaning of life and expresses it in a unique, unexpected way.\u201d \u00a0Zoe C. adds, &#8220;With a charming jazz element and beautiful music, alluring storyline and remarkable voice work, <em>Soul<\/em> is perhaps one of Pixar\u2019s most profound films from all time. See their full reviews below.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soul<br>By Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Soul <\/em>is probably one of the most interesting films Pixar has made. It takes a very complex and existential idea about the meaning of life and expresses it in a unique, unexpected way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/197WHX3LWGc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.a.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6470\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.a.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.a.jpg?w=650&amp;ssl=1 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The story follows a middle school music teacher named Joe Gardner, who wants nothing more than to play jazz on stage. When he finally has an opportunity to play, he ends up in an accident that separates his soul from his body and sends him to The Great Beyond. &nbsp;Joe teams up with an infant soul named 22, as they go on a journey to get Joe back to his body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unsurprisingly, this film looks great because it\u2019s an animated Pixar movie. Specifically, the birthplace of the souls, The Great Before, is very beautiful and ethereal-looking. Both The Great Beyond and The Great Before are interesting places visually and conceptually, but I felt like their potential was a bit wasted. I wanted to learn more about these locations and see more of them, but, alas, they\u2019re mostly forgotten about once they\u2019ve served their purpose in the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/soul.d.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6473\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/soul.d.jpg?resize=300%2C127&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/soul.d.jpg?w=650&amp;ssl=1 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Soul<\/em>\u2019s greatest strength is its themes. I love the way this film subverts Joe\u2019s, and by extension the audience\u2019s, view on life and what it really means to be alive. It helps to have a great character like 22\u2014who is so cynical and uninterested in human life\u2014slowly learn to enjoy life in really subtle ways. Joe is great, but 22\u2019s character arc and her backstory really made me feel for her. She is such a well written character that I enjoyed watching her story play out. I appreciate this film attempting to tackle such a weighty subject in a way children could understand. It presents the concept of \u201cthe meaning of life\u201d in a very mature yet still entertaining way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>Soul <\/em>4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18. <em>Soul <\/em>releases on December 25, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soul<br>By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FbBcRWQ5z24?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With a charming jazz element and beautiful music, alluring storyline and remarkable voice work, <em>Soul<\/em> is perhaps one of Pixar\u2019s most profound films from all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.b.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6471\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.b.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.b.jpg?w=650&amp;ssl=1 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the story of Joe, a middle school band teacher whose life hasn\u2019t gone the way he expects. His true passion is jazz and he is a very gifted piano player. He is not really happy with his non-exciting job and when he gets a gif with his favorite jazz musician, his life seems to experience a life changing experience. Unfortunately he is a little too excited and he ends up in a near death situation. Joe travels to another realm called \u201cthe great before.\u201d In this fantastical place, he has to help someone find their passion and he soon discovers what it means to have a soul. It feels like I\u2019m giving away some stuff, but this movie is so complex and meaningful that is worth to watch everything that unfolds. While the storyline is very earnest and genuine it does get a little hectic. While this movie is animated and colorful, it turns complex and dark. I felt there is a bit too much going on at one point, but the story itself is very winsome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.c.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6472\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.c.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.c.jpg?w=650&amp;ssl=1 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While I\u2019m not a huge fun of the storyline of this film, because it moves back and forth constantly and the concepts explored are too deep at times. <em>Soul<\/em> is not only for kids and I like that. Usually, most films such as <em>Toy Story<\/em>, <em>Cars<\/em> and <em>Coco<\/em> are targeted for young kids, <em>Soul <\/em>has a broader appeal and people of all ages will learn valuable lessons from it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The music is unbelievable. I expected it would be primarily jazz, but discovered\u00a0textures and electronic vibes I didn\u2019t expect. Most of the score is by industrial rock band members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails. The futuristic vibes contrast with the more down-to-earth jazz songs included in the soundtrack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Soul.poster.jpg?resize=137%2C201&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6469\" width=\"137\" height=\"201\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The animation is hyper realistic in the scenes of the real world, which is typical of Pixar\u2019s work, with great attention to detail, urban landscapes, and a beautiful color palette. In the before scenes, the animation reminds me of the style of <em>Inside Out,<\/em> which is simpler and not that stylish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The voice work is stupendous with Jamie Fox leading the cast in the role of Joe Gardner. He certainly gives this character gravitas and an adorable personality. Tina Fey plays 22, the character Joe befriends in his other life, and is quite vibrant and unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The message of the film is that everyone can find their own talents at the right time in their life. Life can be as delicious as a slice of pizza, because life is amazing and simple as it is. I give <em>Soul <\/em>4 out of 5 starts and recommend it for ages 8 to18 and adults as well. It is releasing December 24, 2020 on Disney Plus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn&#8217;t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz &#8212; and he&#8217;s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B. comments, \u201cSoul is probably one of the most interesting films Pixar has made. It takes a very complex and existential idea about the meaning of life and expresses it in a unique, unexpected way.\u201d  Zoe C. adds, &#8220;With a charming jazz element and beautiful music, alluring storyline and remarkable voice work, Soul is perhaps one of Pixar\u2019s most profound films from all time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[1783,35,2604,2601,2603,1166,1453,346,2600,2602],"class_list":["post-6468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-disney","tag-jamie-foxx","tag-kemp-powers","tag-mike-jones","tag-movie-reviews","tag-pete-docter","tag-pixar","tag-soul","tag-tina-fey"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-1Gk","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6468"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6514,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions\/6514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}