Soul (Pete Docter)

[Philip J. Fry]

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[Peng]

This has such a gorgeous, unconventional idea-to-message arc for an animated film (or even for any big-budget film in general, live-action or not), with top-shelf execution, that I find the last scene's sudden reversal a little crushing. Because before that concession, this is shaping to be my favorite of Pete Docter's films, and also my film of the year.

It might be problematic to stick with the highly moving climatic decision, in term of optics both for having the studio's first Black lead and for a film still somewhat aimed at kids. But by that point, this has already been Pixar's most maturely rendered concept to date -- a paean to valuing all aspects of your life rather only your passion, in which the film accordingly focuses its most gorgeous animation and richest details/characters not on its metaphysical plane, but on everyday NYC life -- that I wish it had taken the ultimate kid-ignoring leap, clinching the bittersweet endgame that will has that message really linger and cut deep.

Still, to borrow the "what if ____ had feelings?" meme about Pixar, it remains a gratifyingly high-wire act to watch an animated film that seems to has its idea originated from "what if we animated mid-life crisis?", and then has the protagonist arrive at his epiphany on that by way of citing David Foster Wallace. Get them started and ready on existentialism young, I suppose. 8/10

[Ezee E]

Wow. Would've never expected this to be as good as it was.

Curious, are kids liking this? Because this seems catered to... me. lol.

[Mr. McGibblets]

It's my 1-year-old's favorite movie, but I have definitely remarked that it basically isn't a kid's movie at all during the 25 times that I've seen it.

[Philip J. Fry]

[[ETM]]

We just watched this, and there are tears.
Such a beautiful little movie...
Out of all the random feels, I have to say one thing: Alice Braga has such a beautiful, wonderfully soothing voice, I kinda want her to voice everything now.

[Grouchy]

Wow, not on board with the praise for this one at all. I thought it was one of Pixar's weakest films despite the creative premise and the jazz ambience. The rules of its world make very little sense and also, despite being visually novel, the otherworldly realm offers very little in the way of fun. It goes metaphysical without ever being as profound as it thinks it is. I also thought the ending reversal sank much of the film's message, which was ambiguous enough. I realize it's a movie for kids, but you shouldn't make that big of a deal out of a protagonist's sacrifice if you don't plan on sticking with it. It's disingenuous.

[Mal]

Hated everything that wasn’t Joe being Joe in his own body. Such an obnoxious conflict, forcing something that could have just been this guy getting his big break into yet another forced Disney deep-thinking piece- and for what?! The music moments with Jazz are so good. Why did they do this?!

[Philip J. Fry]