Why Soul Is A Pixar Film You Shouldn T Skip

Okay, so picture this: I’m scrolling through Netflix, feeling that familiar existential dread of “what do I even want to watch?” You know the feeling. The endless scroll, the flashing trailers, the constant battle between “something I’ve seen a million times and know I’ll like” and “that new thing that might be brilliant or might be a total dud.” It was one of those nights. And then, I landed on Soul.

Honestly, I’d seen the posters, I’d heard the buzz, but for some reason, it hadn’t jumped to the top of my must-watch list. Maybe it was the premise, something about a jazz musician’s soul getting separated from his body. Seemed a little… out there, even for Pixar. But that night, something clicked. I pressed play, and wow. Just… wow. My friends, if you haven’t seen Soul yet, seriously, drop whatever you’re doing. This is a Pixar film you absolutely should not skip.

The Little Spark That Changes Everything

So, the story is about Joe Gardner, a middle school band teacher who’s always dreamed of being a professional jazz pianist. He’s good, but life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and he’s stuck teaching the next generation of… well, let’s just say energetic youngsters. Then, BAM! He gets a shot at his dream gig, only to fall down a manhole (classic Pixar, right?). But instead of, you know, dying, his soul ends up in this whole other realm – the Great Before. It’s where souls are prepared before they go down to Earth, get assigned their personalities, their passions, and their spark.

And this is where things get really interesting. Joe, understandably freaked out, is trying to get back to his body, back to his life. But to do that, he needs to help a cynical, jaded soul named 22 find her own spark. Now, 22 has been around the block, she’s met all sorts of historical figures (Socrates, Gandhi, all the usual suspects), and she still hasn’t found that thing that makes her want to live. She thinks life is just this big, pointless mess. Sound familiar to anyone else? No? Just me? Okay, moving on.

The dynamic between Joe and 22 is pure gold. Joe, desperate to get back to his one true passion, is constantly trying to convince 22 that life is amazing. And 22, with her deadpan delivery and world-weary attitude, is the perfect foil. She’s basically the embodiment of that voice in your head that says, “What’s the point?”

Beyond the Music: A Deeper Dive

Now, I know what you might be thinking. “It’s Pixar, so it’s probably gonna be cute and funny, maybe a little sad at the end. Got it.” And yeah, it’s definitely all of those things. The animation is, as always, stunning. The jazz sequences? Absolutely mesmerizing. They really capture the soul (pun intended!) of the music. But Soul is so much more than a visually appealing film about music. It’s a profound exploration of what it means to be alive.

We spend so much of our lives chasing after that one big thing. The dream job, the perfect relationship, the ultimate achievement. We’re told that that’s where happiness lies. But what if it’s not? What if happiness isn’t some grand destination, but the journey itself? What if it’s in the little things we often overlook in our frantic pursuit of the big picture?

Joe’s journey is all about this realization. He’s so focused on becoming a famous jazz musician that he’s almost blind to the simple joys of his current life: the smell of pizza, the feeling of the wind, the laughter of his students. 22, on the other hand, starts to discover these things through Joe, and it’s incredibly moving to watch.

The "Is This It?" Moment

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had those moments, right? You’ve achieved something you thought you wanted, and then you’re left with this… anticlimactic feeling. Like, “Okay, I did it. Now what?” Or maybe you’re just going through the motions, day after day, and you catch yourself wondering, “Is this all there is?” Soul tackles this head-on, but with so much grace and empathy.

It challenges the idea that your life’s purpose has to be some singular, grand ambition. It suggests that maybe your purpose is just… to live. To experience, to connect, to appreciate. It’s a message that really resonated with me, and I suspect it will with a lot of you too. Especially if you’re in a phase of life where you’re questioning things, or feeling a little lost.

The film doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life either. It acknowledges that there will be struggles, there will be pain, there will be moments of doubt. But it also emphasizes the beauty and wonder that coexist with all of that. It’s not a Pollyanna-ish, everything-is-perfect kind of film. It’s realistic, in a deeply philosophical way.

The Magic of Ordinary Moments

One of my favorite parts of Soul is how it highlights the beauty of ordinary moments. Think about it: when was the last time you truly savored a slice of pizza? Or genuinely noticed the intricate patterns of leaves on a tree? Or just felt the sheer joy of a good conversation? We’re so busy looking for the extraordinary that we miss the magic that’s happening all around us, every single second.

Joe and 22’s adventures in the Great Before, and then their unexpected detour back on Earth, are filled with these small, beautiful observations. It’s like they’re seeing the world with fresh eyes, and it makes you want to do the same. You’ll find yourself thinking, “Wait a minute, that is actually really cool. I haven’t thought about that in ages.”

And the supporting characters! Oh my gosh, the supporting characters. The theremin-playing mystic, Connie the student with the trombone, Dez the barber – they all contribute so much to the richness of the story. They’re not just plot devices; they feel like real, lived-in characters, each with their own little quirks and wisdom to share.

Pixar Gets Existential (In the Best Way)

It’s kind of wild to think that a studio known for talking toys and underwater adventures would delve into something as complex as existentialism. But they did it, and they did it brilliantly. They managed to make a film that’s accessible to kids, but also deeply meaningful and thought-provoking for adults. That’s the Pixar magic, right? They can tackle the big, scary questions of life without making you feel overwhelmed or depressed.

Instead, you leave feeling… hopeful. And a little bit inspired. You might even find yourself wanting to pick up an old hobby, or call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, or just go for a walk and really pay attention to what’s around you. And that, my friends, is the true power of a great story.

The film doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s part of its brilliance. It’s not about finding the one perfect thing that will make your life complete. It’s about the ongoing process of living, of learning, of growing, and of finding joy in the unexpected places.

The Verdict: Go Watch It!

So, why shouldn’t you skip Soul? Because it’s a film that respects your intelligence. It’s a film that’s beautiful to look at and a joy to listen to. It’s a film that will make you laugh, it will make you cry (probably), and it will definitely make you think. It’s a gentle reminder that life is a precious, often messy, and always beautiful gift. And that sometimes, the greatest adventure is simply learning to appreciate the music that’s already playing.

If you’re feeling a little lost, a little uninspired, or just in the mood for something truly special, do yourself a favor and watch Soul. You won’t regret it. Trust me on this one. It’s more than just a movie; it’s an experience. And in a world that’s constantly bombarding us with noise and distractions, that kind of experience is something to hold onto. So, go on, hit play. You might just find the spark you didn’t even know you were missing.