Pixar is very well-known for their animation quality and the deep messages the movies convey. Of course, not every creation that comes from Pixar presents a philosophical tractate, but there’s meaning that appeals both to adults and children alike. It also helps us shape our perception of the world, as grand as that may sound.
So, when Pixar announced the release of Soul, the fans waited with bated breath. And for a good reason—the end result once again proves that the famed Pixar Formula is as potent as ever. Soul takes the concept of the meaning of life and turns it into an adventure with the usual Pixar polish, but there’s a twist—this movie might just be more suited for adults than children.
Pixar likes to delve into deep ideas, and Soul pushes the boundary a bit further
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
Hard-hitting ideas are not foreign when it comes to animation. Those who remember the bright and brilliant Coco will be aware that the overall theme of family and its importance was slightly layered with the concept of death and the afterlife. And Soul took it a step further—life is the main thing that’s being examined by the movie.
The movie presents two opposite views on the topic of living
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
What is the true meaning of being alive? Why do we sometimes feel stuck on how to find joy in what we do? And lastly, the question the movie itself asks: “Is all this living really worth dying for?” These are but some of the questions the movie embraces. Two souls, with completely opposite goals, clash over their understanding of what’s most important. One protagonist wishes to go back to the life he had before, and another doesn’t want to start living in the first place.
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
Joe Gardner is a music teacher (and adult!) who feels passion for jazz and finally has an audition to join a band after years of rejections, when the unexpected strikes and he’s transported to the Great Before (where all the souls yet to be born reside).
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
His counterpart is 22, a soul that doesn’t want to go to Earth and live out her days because she has witnessed what’s in store and prefers to stay as she is. The two embark on a journey to find 22’s spark, the one thing that will prove 22 is ready to start living for real.
The two protagonists clash over their preconceptions on what makes existence worth it
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
With the meaning of life as the core concept, the movie presents two seemingly distinct looks at it. 22 doesn’t want to bother with the stuff that comes with being alive, and she would rather continue her aimless existence, while Joe is shown to be a struggling musician who has a goal in mind, but there are hurdles along the way that drag him down.
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
However, despite their apparent differences, both of them are stuck when it comes to actual living. After some shenanigans occur, the duo has to deal with new challenges that put their pre-conceived ideas to the test.
People are speculating whether this is Pixar’s most mature and serious movie yet
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
The reasons that make this movie brilliant are the same ones that make it more suitable for grownups. As a child, you probably feel like the entire world is there for the taking. And when you reach adulthood, your views and dreams change according to the circumstances. Soul explores those ideas and the movie’s meaning will resonate better with those who have lived, at least a little, in the real world.
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
The movie also lacks the some of the dramatic flair that can often be seen in animated movies. The artistic style is pastel most of the time, and even the fantastic fantasy of the otherworld is mellow, there are no beasts to battle, and even the fantastic beings are depicted as conceptualized drawings (befitting their nature). The message is put forward front and center, which might be the best thing for the movie of this caliber.
The movie urges people to ask the question “Is all this living really worth dying for?”, a hard-hitting topic that will resonate with adults more than kids
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
Of course, Soul is not the first movie that explores what it means to be alive. But it is innovative for an animated film to delve into the deeper topics that will likely go right over children’s heads. Every animated movie can undoubtedly be viewed from two perspectives, and the old classics like The Lion King leave a different impression on an adult than a child.
But Soul has seemingly tapped into the potential to make a predominantly adult-oriented movie with themes and ideas that reflect the struggle many of us have felt, of finding your place in this world and finally answering the nagging question of whether living really is worth dying for.
And here’s a trailer so you can check the movie out for yourselves
Image credits: Pixar / Disney
People are torn on whether it’s actually a grown up movie, with some saying it’s not for kids while others claim it works and can even teach them on the themes
This is now one of my favorite Pixar movies. It was exceptionally well-done and dealt with death, disappointment, and not being able to see the good in your life. Also, I completely love the score although it might seem a little weird to some people. I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet!
Could be true. Im 40 and the film really spoke to me. Plus it's about a middle aged man. Up was about an old man, but it had a cute kid in it. The other soul sounds like a middle aged woman. So, perhaps this was an animated film for adults? Regardless, I loved it!
You don't have disney +? If so then that's kinda sad. This was a really good movie and also you're missing out on the Mandalorian.
Load More Replies...
Yeah, plus small children would probably pick up on all the sass and become insane. When I was small and weak armed I tried to be like Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes
Personally, I'm really happy that a movie like this was made, and I think it would be better if Pixar continued to make movies with a more "mature" setting and vibe. I've always found Disney and Pixar movies extremely hard to enjoy because it was more focused on an immature audience, and didn't end up being relatable to an older audience. (Hence why you see so many parents complaining about their kid(s) watching frozen for x amount of days.)
I completely respect your view, and I agree that some Disney movies are too childish, but I think that a lot of them have more mature themes, especially later ones (although they are still a little simple). Pixar, in my opinion, has been exceptional at appealing to older audiences and dealing with mature themes in its last few movies- especially Coco and Inside Out.
Load More Replies...
This movie was trippy and deep and I loved it. It is so damn weird. You have a guy becoming a cat, magical souls, and also, spoilers, those baby souls are really fetuses.
I love this movie so much. It's by far, the most relatable film I have ever seen!
Being brutally honest, I didn't think it was particularly good. Fair enough, the animation was beautiful and the music just gorgeous, but I seem to be in a minority that wasn't all that impressed by it.
This is now one of my favorite Pixar movies. It was exceptionally well-done and dealt with death, disappointment, and not being able to see the good in your life. Also, I completely love the score although it might seem a little weird to some people. I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet!
Could be true. Im 40 and the film really spoke to me. Plus it's about a middle aged man. Up was about an old man, but it had a cute kid in it. The other soul sounds like a middle aged woman. So, perhaps this was an animated film for adults? Regardless, I loved it!
You don't have disney +? If so then that's kinda sad. This was a really good movie and also you're missing out on the Mandalorian.
Load More Replies... Yeah, plus small children would probably pick up on all the sass and become insane. When I was small and weak armed I tried to be like Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes
Personally, I'm really happy that a movie like this was made, and I think it would be better if Pixar continued to make movies with a more "mature" setting and vibe. I've always found Disney and Pixar movies extremely hard to enjoy because it was more focused on an immature audience, and didn't end up being relatable to an older audience. (Hence why you see so many parents complaining about their kid(s) watching frozen for x amount of days.)
I completely respect your view, and I agree that some Disney movies are too childish, but I think that a lot of them have more mature themes, especially later ones (although they are still a little simple). Pixar, in my opinion, has been exceptional at appealing to older audiences and dealing with mature themes in its last few movies- especially Coco and Inside Out.
Load More Replies... This movie was trippy and deep and I loved it. It is so damn weird. You have a guy becoming a cat, magical souls, and also, spoilers, those baby souls are really fetuses.
I love this movie so much. It's by far, the most relatable film I have ever seen!
Being brutally honest, I didn't think it was particularly good. Fair enough, the animation was beautiful and the music just gorgeous, but I seem to be in a minority that wasn't all that impressed by it.
132
29