Review: "Soul" Comes Together For a Mesmerizing Experience

Scene from Soul (2020)

What has always made the realm of animation at times superior is the endless possibilities. There are no commitments to the familiar, and yet sometimes it's often more real. Few directors have understood this as well as Pete Docter, who has used the abstract to understand everything from our fears (Monsters Inc.) to cognitive function (Inside Out). With his latest, he has continued to outdo himself in the realm of fantasy, finding a wondrous way to explore the most abstract thing that's fundamental to the human condition. What drives our soul to continue pursuing passions, to live a life that isn't, ahem, "soulless." Using the vibrant background of a jazz musician, the story unfolds into the surreal, introducing high concepts in accessible ways. What makes this all a miracle is how easily everything goes down, finding equal parts entertainment and inspiration in every scene. Whatever Docter is doing continues to work, even if it's a bit raggedy and confusing at times. 

Pixar Reveals Their "Soul" in First Trailer

Scene from Soul (2020)

It is likely that if you've been to a movie theater or watched sports in the past few months, you'll know that Pixar already has one film to look forward to. Onward looks to be a comedic take on fantasy full of fun hijinks. However, 2020 is looking to be one of those years with not one but two films from the beloved animated studio. Their other film, Soul, finds the filmmakers behind the Oscar-winning Inside Out returning with a film that asks the question "What does it mean to have a soul?" With the first trailer now out, it looks like another promising journey into the metaphysical, finding a way to make abstract concepts into family film gold. It looks like another hit for the studio that keeps reexamining what it means to be human.

Legitimate Theater: Bonus #2. Mean Girls (2018)

Mean Girls

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.