With his lifelong dream close enough to taste, jazz musician Joe (Jamie Foxx) suddenly finds himself moving towards the gates of Heaven. Following an accident, the man’s body lies in a hospital bed while his soul makes its way into the afterlife. Blindsided by his sudden death moments before the gig of a lifetime, the musician decides to fight for his right to return to Earth and finally enjoy the career he so desperately yearns for. 

Instead of a swift U-turn, however, Joe ends up in a sort of limbo, having to mentor 22 (Tina Fey), a stubborn, misguided soul who spent centuries avoiding Earth. In Soul, as with all Pixar endeavours, details are of the essence. After a comprehensive, tactful study of different strands of religious beliefs, the animation team crafted Picasso-esque figures that serve as almighty mentors, responsible for guiding the souls through all steps of existence. The souls themselves are aptly infantile, a bunch of delightfully gullible creatures blissfully unaware of the struggles of living.

Once again, Pete Docter manages to expertly soothe existential dread with a comforting blanket of cuteness. Questioning the merits of living solely to reach unattainable goals is made much easier by the sight of tiny, translucid souls hovering around the bright void where personalities are carefully created. 

To immerse oneself into the exquisite world created by Docter and Powers is a privilege. How wonderful it feels, amidst such havoc and cruel unpredictability, to be allowed some precious minutes to reflect on the beauty that lies in simply living. How dear to be told that without the sourness of failure there would be no true appreciation of the sweetness of joy. Here is hoping that, when the time comes to face the mighty gates of The Beyond, the glees greatly outweigh the regrets. 

RATING: 5/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Daveed Diggs, Angela Bassett 

DIRECTORS: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers

WRITERS: Pete Docter, Mike Jones, Kemp Powers 

SYNOPSIS: A musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself.