Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated release of Soul has finally hit out Television screens in a bold move from Disney choosing to release the film on Disney+ instead of waiting for the world to open. The choice seems to have paid off. Soul sits at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and is being hailed as one of their best yet. However, Soul tackles huge existential themes of life, death, the afterlife, and so much more the question being asked is if it’s really a film for children.
Pixar may have started their film journey with stories about Monsters talking cars, or even rats who like to cook French cuisine. But they are also no strangers to handling the tough subjects of death or even mental health beautifully and fully as you can see with Up, Coco, and Inside Out. With Soul, the studio seems to be taking another giant leap in that direction.
How Soul Fits In Perfectly With Other Pixar Films
Soul tells the story of Joe Gardner, a middle school band teacher, and jazz pianist who has the audition of a lifetime. However, before he can celebrate too much, he falls into an uncovered manhole falling into a coma set out on a journey to discover the meaning of life. When asked if the film’s story and themes matched up with what they teach and tell their children, according to Phylicia Rashad it does exactly that.
“I say yes it does…The truth of the matter is, is I believe that life is a continuum. And I try to teach my children that. I’ve tried to teach my children that because to understand that is to embody a kind of fearlessness and also an acceptance.”
In the end, everyone’s children are different and enjoy all sorts of things. Soul might eventually overtake Frozen as the top of Pixar. But we’ll have to see on that one.
Make sure to check out Disney/Pixar’s Soul now streaming on Disney+.
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