Soul Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A jazz pianist dies and then has to babysit a cynical soul in the afterlife to get a second chance at life, only to realize that pizza is pretty great too.

🍿 Soul: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Joe’s Dream and Accidental Journey to the Great Before

Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher, finally gets his big break: an audition with jazz legend Dorothea Williams. He nails the audition and secures a spot in her quartet. Overjoyed, he isn’t paying attention and falls down a manhole. Instead of waking up, Joe finds himself as a soul on his way to the “Great Beyond.” Unwilling to die before his performance, he escapes and accidentally ends up in the “Great Before,” a place where souls are prepared for life on Earth.

Meeting 22 and the Quest for a Spark

In the Great Before, Joe is mistaken for a mentor and assigned to 22, a cynical soul who has never found her “spark,” the final piece needed before she can go to Earth. 22 has been through countless mentors, including Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa. Joe sees an opportunity: he convinces 22 to help him get back to Earth, promising that her spark will activate when she experiences life. This leads to a series of comical and insightful adventures as they try to return to their respective places.

Body Swap and Discovering Life’s Simple Joys

During their attempt to return to Earth with the help of Moonwind, a mystical sign twirler who rescues lost souls, Joe and 22 accidentally swap bodies. 22 ends up in Joe’s body, and Joe ends up in the body of a therapy cat. While trying to navigate life in Joe’s body, 22 begins to experience and appreciate the simple joys of everyday existence. She reconnects with Joe’s mother, inspires his student, and has meaningful conversations with his barber. This newfound appreciation contrasts sharply with Joe’s single-minded pursuit of his jazz dream.

The Meaning of a Spark

The pair are captured by Terry, an accountant from the Great Beyond who is determined to fix the soul count imbalance and brought back to the Great Before. 22, nearly ready to go to earth, gives her earth pass to Joe. After experiencing the success of his show, Joe realizes what he has done is wrong, returns to the Great Before to give 22 her Earth Pass back and realizes that a spark isn’t a life’s purpose but a passion to live life to the fullest. With a newfound perspective, Joe decides to give 22 a chance at life. In the end, Joe is granted a second chance to return to Earth to live his own life to the fullest.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx): A middle school music teacher and aspiring jazz pianist who learns the true meaning of life after an unexpected journey to the Great Before.
• 22 (Tina Fey): A cynical and reluctant soul in the Great Before who struggles to find her spark and purpose for living on Earth.
• Moonwind (Graham Norton): A whimsical sign twirler and spiritual guide who helps lost souls find their way back from the Zone.
• Terry (Rachel House): A meticulous and persistent accountant from the Great Beyond, determined to maintain the soul count and bring Joe back.
• Libba (Phylicia Rashad): Joe’s practical and supportive mother, who owns a seamstress shop and initially doubts his pursuit of a jazz career.
• Dorothea Williams (Angela Bassett): A renowned jazz saxophonist and bandleader who offers Joe a life-changing opportunity to play in her quartet.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe: “I’ve been waiting on this day for… my entire life. I thought I’d feel different.” – Joe expresses his anticlimactic feelings after achieving his lifelong dream of playing with a famous jazz musician.
• Dorothea: “I heard this story about a fish. He swims up to this older fish and says, ‘I’m trying to find this thing they call the ocean.’ ‘The ocean?’ says the older fish. ‘That’s what you’re in right now.’ ‘This?’ says the young fish. ‘This is water. What I want is the ocean.’” – Dorothea tells Joe a story to illustrate that he is already living the life he seeks and doesn’t realize it.
• 22: “What is all this living supposed to be anyway?” – 22 questions the meaning and purpose of life on Earth, expressing her cynicism and lack of interest in living.
• Joe: “Music is all I think about, all I dream about, all I want to live for!” – Joe passionately declares his love for music, highlighting its importance to his identity and purpose.
• Jerry: “We use all kinds of shapes. No form is more important than another.” – A Jerry explains that all shapes of souls matter. The message is that everything matters

💰Box Office

• Budget: $150M
• Domestic Gross: $2.4M
• Worldwide Gross: $122M

💥 Soul Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by Soul. It’s one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits roll. The animation is breathtaking, and the story is so incredibly moving. I especially loved the scenes where 22 experiences simple joys on Earth for the first time – it really made me appreciate the little things in my own life. I felt like the movie wasn’t long enough and the body swap felt overdone. Definitely a must-watch for anyone who’s ever questioned their purpose!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Pixar animation”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies about self-discovery”
  • “Adults and older teens interested in philosophical themes”
  • “Anyone seeking an uplifting and thought-provoking film”
  • “Jazz enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic elements related to death and the afterlife might be sensitive for very young children.”
  • “Some existential themes may be challenging for younger viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Soul is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores profound questions about life’s purpose with humor and heart. While the plot may be complex for younger viewers, its message of appreciating everyday moments is universal.
• RogerEbert.com: “Pixar’s Soul is a thoughtful and imaginative journey into the afterlife, grappling with the meaning of existence. It’s a beautiful film that leaves you pondering your own passions and what truly makes life worthwhile. But with body swap, the story drags.
• Variety: “A vibrant and thought-provoking animated film, ‘Soul’ asks big questions about life and passion in a way that’s both accessible and deeply moving. Visually inventive and emotionally rewarding, it showcases Pixar’s storytelling prowess.

Audience Reactions

The movie inspired me to appreciate the small moments in life.: Most viewers praised the film’s profound message and emotional depth, saying it resonated with their own experiences and perspectives on life.

The visuals and music were stunning and created a unique atmosphere.: Many people loved the original soundtrack by Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross, mentioning that it was beautiful and immersive.

Overall Consensus: Soul is a thought-provoking and visually stunning animated film that resonates deeply with audiences, sparking conversations about life’s purpose and the importance of appreciating everyday moments.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Animated Feature Film)- 2021
2. Academy Award (Best Original Score)- 2021
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Animated Feature Film)- 2021
4. BAFTA Award (Best Animated Film)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Pete Docter has stated that the film was inspired by his own anxieties about life and finding his purpose.”
• “The visuals for ‘The Great Before’ and ‘The Great Beyond’ were designed to be abstract and non-denominational, drawing from various spiritual and philosophical concepts.”
• “The jazz music in the film was composed by Jon Batiste, who aimed to capture the improvisational and soulful nature of the genre.”
• “Originally, Joe was supposed to be a struggling actor, but the filmmakers changed it to a musician to better convey the character’s passion and dedication.”

🖥️ How to Watch Soul?

Soul is available for streaming on Disney+. You can also purchase or rent the movie through various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for pricing and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Soul, you might like these similar films:

• Inside Out (2015): Explores complex emotions and the inner workings of the mind through animation, with a similar blend of humor and heart.
• Coco (2017): Deals with themes of family, passion, and the afterlife, using vibrant visuals and music to tell a culturally rich story.
• The Truman Show (1998): Raises philosophical questions about the meaning of life, purpose, and free will.
• Waking Life (2001): Features a stream-of-consciousness narrative exploring existential themes and philosophical discussions about reality, consciousness, and the nature of dreams.

🛒 Soul Related Products

• Disney Pixar Soul Figure Set – 5 Characters: This Soul figure set includes five detailed characters from the movie, making it perfect for collectors and fans of all ages. A great display piece!
• Disney Soul: The Junior Novelization: Relive the adventure of Soul with this novelization of the movie. Perfect for young readers and fans who want to dive deeper into the story.
• Soul [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Audio CD: Experience the evocative jazz score of Soul composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and the amazing Jazz music composed, arranged, and performed by Jon Batiste. A must-have for music lovers!
• Trends International Disney Pixar Soul – One-Sheet Wall Poster: Decorate your space with this vibrant Soul movie poster! Featuring high-quality printing and a sleek design, it’s a perfect addition to any fan’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Soul features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Born to Play” – performed by Jon Batiste
• “Parting Ways” – performed by Cody ChesnuTT
• “It’s All Right” – performed by Curley Baker

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did you know that in SOUL…

Have you ever wondered about the significance of numbers in Pixar’s Soul? This video uncovers a mind-boggling fact that will leave you pondering the movie’s deeper meanings.

SOUL Destroyed Me | Explained

If you’ve ever felt a profound connection to Pixar’s Soul, this video will resonate with you. It delves into the movie’s emotional core, revealing its transformative message about life and purpose.

My Weird Beef with Soul Criticism

Have you ever felt like certain criticisms of Pixar’s Soul missed the mark? This video challenges conventional wisdom, offering a fresh and insightful take on the movie’s strengths and weaknesses.

Soul – Is It Good or Nah? (Pixar Review)

Curious about what the buzz is all about regarding Pixar’s Soul? This engaging review gives you the inside scoop, weighing the movie’s merits and flaws with wit and insight.

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