Pixar movies tend to be big cinematic epics. That is changing though with Pixar’s forthcoming movie Soul forgoing theatres in the wake of Covid-19 and releasing directly to Disney+ instead. It’s a sign of Disney’s recent dramatic change in strategy to focus more on their big streaming future and an indication that even films that should be big crowd-pleasers could see a streaming future instead.
And to celebrate this announcement, the studio has released a new trailer for the film which gives us a bigger detail of the overall plot and what we can expect from this new film. Soul follows middle school music teacher Joe (Jamie Foxx) who dreams of becoming a jazz musician. Those dreams are cut short when he falls down a manhole cover and winds up in The Great Before and meets 22 (Tina Fey), a soul with no interest in the human world. Together they go on a mission to get Joe’s body back and fulfil each of their dreams. And as evidenced by this new trailer, the film continues Pixar’s trend of creating movies that deal with some heavy, sensitive material, but told in a way that is entertaining, funny and palatable to audiences of all ages. Check it out.
I really enjoy the ideas in this film and while it does mirror aspects of Pixar’s Inside Out – something which perhaps shouldn’t surprising, considering they share the same director in Pete Docter – it has its own great characters and a story that should prove to bring out the full gamut of emotions from its audience. Pixar set the standard for high-quality animation films and this one appears to be no different as it looks beautifully animated, to go along with its imaginative story.
Despite the film being a colourful marvel though perhaps the biggest disappointment that it isn’t coming out on the big screen will be hearing Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score on loud, big speakers, the way it was meant to be enjoyed in a film all about music. The score will no doubt form a big part of Soul’s heart and it will be a pity that it will go to waste for many of us who don’t have a massive sound system at home to do it justice.
Soul is arriving on Disney+ on Christmas Day – which is perhaps inconsequential for us seeing as we don’t have Disney+ here yet – and also stars the voice talents of Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade and June Squibb. Hopefully, we will get to see this movie soon in some way because it will be a pity to miss out on what looks like yet another Pixar epic.
Last Updated: October 15, 2020
Banana Jim
October 15, 2020 at 15:59
This is probably the last true Pixar movie… The last few years have been mostly sequels, sequels and sequels (probably mandated by the Rat), and this is a rare new IP from Pixar….
Hopefully, this will be a good one. I usually have high hopes when it comes to Pixar, but after a few years of their studio churning out unnecessary sequels I’m a little apprehensive….
MechMachine
October 15, 2020 at 15:59
One grows out of them.
Krabby Paddy
October 15, 2020 at 17:21
I think Cars 3 was an exception, otherwise their sequels have done well at the box office, whereas a new IP is a possible a hit or miss. Latest IPs have been more of a miss for them (when compared to their other movies). Although they were not that bad, so one has to blame the audience as well for all the sequels. People like good ‘ol safe familiarity.
I’m with you though. All the sequels are getting tiring … In general.
Banana Jim
October 15, 2020 at 17:22
I enjoyed Cars 3, and how they tackled Lightning McQueen’s arc over the course of three movies from rookie to veteran. That was actually fantastic storytelling.
Toy Story 4 on the other hand… did we really need it? Incredibles 2? Maybe? Monster University…? I guess…
I’m just glad they never made an Up, Brave, Ratatouille or a Wall-E sequel.
Onward was a bit of a miss for me. It didn’t feel like a Pixar movie, but rather a Disney animation movie with a little Pixar sticker on it.
Krabby Paddy
October 15, 2020 at 17:22
Incredibles 2 and Toy story 4 each grossed over $1billion so evidently people did think we really needed them 😉
Banana Jim
October 15, 2020 at 17:31
lol, true, but sometimes what we need isn’t the same as what the corporations need.
Krabby Paddy
October 15, 2020 at 18:06
Most definitely! … The problem is they spend lots of money to brainwash us not to believe this. Be careful, agents might come after you for seeing that your needs do not align with theirs!
Insomnia is fun
October 15, 2020 at 17:22
Hmmmmmmmm not seeing freckled people in that trailer.