Page 5 Pixar ’ s Soul Taps Into Viewer ’ s Souls By Alex Gast Staff Writer Disney Pixar ’ s newest crea- Joe Gardner, tion, Soul , brings a different view to voiced by Jamie how life should be lived. Foxx, in the The newest movie from newest Pixar Pixar Animation Studios, which film, Soul. Photo was directed by Pete Docter, via IMDb. brought to the world a story that teaches about life ’ s little moments. The story follows the life of Joe Gardner, voiced by Jamie Foxx. Joe is a rather ordinary man living life in the grand world of New York City. He ’ s a part - time middle school the help of any mentee soul who is not rather tremendous: it had a great sound- music teacher just trying to get by. yet on Earth. Unfortunately for him, he track, and an animation style which fans He has a dream of becoming a pro- gets stuck mentoring the most trouble- of Pixar films have grown to love over fessional jazz musician, and his some soul of all: Soul 22, voiced by the years. It had a much heavier theme world revolves around his passion Tina Fey. The story ensues from here, and overall meaning than some other for jazz music. and Joe and Soul 22 work together to Pixar films, and it was meant to hit home When the film begins, Joe try and get Joe back to Earth. Although deep down, quite literally, in the view- is offered a full - time job of middle Joe does eventually succeed, it is not in er ’ s souls. Frankly, this movie is sort of school music teacher at his school, the way he intended. Along the journey almost telling you to not watch this mov- but he is apprehensive about accept- to correct another mishap, he learns im- ie, to go out and enjoy all of the little ing, still wanting to chase his dream portant life lessons, most importantly to things in life for what they really are, and of being a professional jazz musi- enjoy the little things in life and never to stop wasting your time when these cian. Later that day, he gets a call take for granted all that he has around things are not permanent. It makes view- from a former student, Curley, who him. ers really ponder some of their life choic- is now a jazz musician himself: he The movie, which was released es and the meaning of things in their life, plays drums in a famous jazz musi- on Christmas day, was a trendsetter and long after the film is over. cian ’ s quartet in town. Curley ex- history maker in several ways: it There were some minor plot plains that their regular pianist has marked the first Pixar feature - length holes, but that is to be somewhat ex- skipped town, leaving them without film not to be released worldwide to pected in something that is really also a sufficient emergency replacement. theaters and was released exclusively to meant for kids to view and be able to He offers Joe a tryout with the quar- Disney+ in countries that have the comprehend. Other reviewers online tet, and if he impresses the band ’ s streaming service. The movie features have complained that the ending was leader, who is one of Joe ’ s jazz other voice actors such as Questlove (as kind of an easy - out end to the story and idols, then he can come back later in Curley), Graham Norton (Moonwind), was a display of lazy writing, but I the night and play with the quartet Angela Bassett (Dorthea Williams), thought it wrapped up Joe ’ s story rather at a show. Joe, finally thinking he Daveed Diggs (Paul), and Rachel House nicely and left the rest of the events after has gotten his big break, is ecstatic (Terry), among others. The film also to the viewer ’ s imagination. I would rate about the opportunity. features a soundtrack of various jazz this movie highly and would definitely Just as he thinks his luck compositions, each fitting into a differ- recommend a watch for those interested. has changed, however, he clumsily ent part of the story. Ultimately, Soul hits viewers runs through the streets of New The film can best be described, right where it intends to --- in the soul. York City and experiences a bad for those who may be somewhat of fall. Suddenly, he awakens to find movie connoisseurs, as a mash up of La his soul and body have separated, La Land and a Pixar animation style and he is waiting to go into the most closely resembling that seen in “ Great Beyond. ” Joe, not wanting to Inside Out . The film also seems to pull be dead on what he deems “ the best moments and images from other Pixar day of his life, ” tries to escape, but classics to contribute to the overall dis- soon falls into a place called the tinctness of the picture. The film is real- Great Before. Here, Joe is mistaken ly unlike any other Pixar films in that it for a different “ mentor ” soul and featured, for the first time, an adult hu- learns he can get back to Earth with man character as the main protagonist. I thought that the movie was .