Soul

     Pixar Studios does it again with one of the best films of the year.  With each film they produce, they take on more and more complex themes and this time they ask the biggest question of all...what is the meaning of life?

      "Soul" stars a jazz pianist named Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who's been waiting his whole life for his one big break. In the meantime, he supports himself as a part time music teacher. After a freak accident, Joe "dies" and his soul is separated from his body on the way to "The Great Beyond". Joe doesn't accept his fate and his soul ends up in "The Great Beginning". Due to a mistaken identity, he ends up a mentor to another soul, number 22 (voiced by Tina Fey). 22 is a restless soul who can't seem to find the one spark that will allow her to travel to earth and merge with her physical body.

       Joe and 22 do eventually find their way to earth but not in the way they expected and this starts a series of comic misadventures to restore order in the universe. The film explores many complex themes and tries hard to simplify its concepts. For small children, these concepts may be hard to understand but they will still enjoy the colorful characters and energy of the story. For everyone else, it's a wonderful journey of self-discovery filled with humor, emotion, and absolutely fantastic animation. 

       Much of the film takes place in New York City (pre-pandemic) and it captures the energy and life of the city in all its glory. Animated scenes are incredibly lifelike from the streets to the subway to the smallest detail. There are sight gags galore (many of which may only be recognized by true New Yorkers).

       The film also features the vocal talents of Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashard, Daveed Diggs, Graham Norton, and Questlove. Of course, music is also an important element of the story. The score is by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross with Jazz contributions from Jon Batiste and consultations from Herbie Hancock and Terri Lyne Carrington. There are lessons of love, for family, for music, for life itself, presented in a remarkable way. I can't give enough credit to director Pete Docter, his writing partners, Mike Jones and Kemp Powers and his incredible team of animators.

         This is simply a wonderful film. Now streaming on Disney +.