ReelBob: ‘Soul’ ★★★★

By Bob Bloom

Pixar’s latest animated feature, “Soul,” is a funny and rewarding story about finding your place in the universe — or at least your part of it.

The movie, directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers and written by Docter, Mike Jones and Powers, overflows with heart, even as it gets you thinking about your own life.

Joe Gardner is a temporary middle-school music teacher. He’s a musician who is very passionate about jazz. He has loved that music since he was a little boy when his father took him to a jam session.

A former student of Joe’s, now a drummer in a famous jazz quartet, recommends him for an audition as the group’s new pianist. The audition goes very well.

But on his way to prepare for that night’s performance, Joe is sidetracked out of this world.

To return in time for his gig, he must help 22, a dissatisfied soul, find her passion. And in doing so, Joe realizes that the world is open to a myriad of opportunities.

“Soul” is not as serious as it sounds. The movie is a delight, filled with numerous sight gags, fun characters and life lessons that children as well as adults can recognize.

People who have struggled to find their niche, will identify with Joe. Life has a way of throwing us curve balls that alter the trajectory we planned for ourselves; circumstances can force us onto a different, unexpected path.

The movie’s overall message about living life to the fullest is a needed approach during these challenging times.

“Soul” focuses on dealing with the struggles of life and rising to the occasion, even if it means subverting your own goal to help someone else reach his or hers.

The movie’s charm is that it accomplishes all this in a light-hearted — almost casual — manner. The film abstains from heavy-handed messaging. Its tale of self-discovery flows over you like a refreshing shower on a steamy day.

The animation is gorgeous as are the vocal performances by Jamie Foxx as Joe and Tina Fey as 22. They riff off each other like a veteran duet, their exchanges, at times, carrying a musical lilt.

“Soul” is one of the best Pixar movies in years. It may be a comedy, and it may sound like a film for kids, but it has an emotional heft that makes it palatable for adults as well.

And I guarantee, you will have tears in your eyes when the movie ends.

“Soul” is a Christmas gift from Pixar, premiering tonight on Disney+. It will touch your heart, and if you are unmoved, then I guess you are without soul.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.

SOUL
4 stars out of 4
(PG), language, thematic elements