Disney-Pixar Soul (2020 Movie)

This post shares a bit about the Disney-Pixar movie, Soul. This includes thoughts after having watched it with 3 boys ranging in age from 11 to 23. Photos provided from Disney for use in the post. Free activity pages are towards the bottom of the post.

When I ordered up a year of Disney + for our family this past December, I quickly put the movie Soul onto my watchlist.

I wasn’t entirely sure about what it would cover.

But, I was drawn to the idea they would address life after this life.

Specifically tackling the idea of what makes each of us unique ~ a soul.

About Disney Pixar Soul

What is it that makes you…YOU? 

Pixar Animation Studios’ “Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. 

But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks, and interests before they go to Earth. 

Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience.

As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.

“Soul” is Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), co-directed by Kemp Powers (“One Night in Miami”) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray, p.g.a. (Pixar short “Lou”). 

Honored as a recipient of the American Film Institute’s Movie of the Year Award andwinner of theNational Board of Review’s Best Animated Featurein addition to being included on its Top Films list, Soulis “an animated film fit for all ages,” (Jazzie Belle, Vibe.com) lovedby critics and audiences alike. Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™.

Read more about individual characters on the Pixar website.

Soul is released onto Blu-ray/DVD and digitally on March 23, 2021.

The digital and physical releases of Soul will include exclusive, never-before-seen deleted scenes and audio commentary by Pete Docter, Kemp Powers and Dana Murray.

Our Thoughts on the Film

First off, this film had me thinking back to the feel the many of the movies from Pixar.

Not so much the characters or even the animation.

Rather, there is a feeling of your heartstrings being tugged in this film that is reminiscent of other Pixar films.

I found myself empathizing with Joe’s desire to return to the life he knew.

The idea of not wanting to miss his big break in the world of jazz music which he felt called to aspire toward.

Basically, feeling like he missed his chance at the life he was working so hard to have.

Along with that is wondering if the life he has lived amounted to anything.

Having spent years in The Great Before with assigned mentors that never got her to find her spark, 22 doesn’t get why Joe would want to go back to living.

Accidentally going to the regular world wasn’t what she wanted to do. But, it provided an experience she never expected.

The character 22’s unique perspective on the world as she experiences it was refreshing.

She helped Joe to see all the amazing things in the world around him which he had taken for granted.

Not just how awesome a slice of pepperoni pizza is. But, also a glimpse at the impact he had in his life.

With some music in my own background, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical selections in this film.

And the way they tackled the theme of humans having a soul was interesting.

Overall, we enjoyed the film and would definitely watch it more than once. I did find that my older boys had more appreciation for the themes of the film than my youngest son.

Win a Digital Copy of Disney Pixar Soul

TWO lucky blog readers will win a code to claim a digital copy of Disney-Pixar’s Soul. Open to United States residents only.

The codes can be redeemed at MoviesAnywhere.com or on the Movies Anywhere app. 

Entries will be accepted through March 28, 2021 through the form below:

Activity Sheets for Pixar Soul

Many thanks to the folks at Disney-Pixar for these great activity sheets to share with you.

Use them before, during or after watching Soul.

Click on the image or hyperlink to access the pages.

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Soul Activity Pages (maze, spot the difference, door hanger and draw a slice)
Soul Music Activity Pages for upper elementary (Let’s Get Jazzed!, Meet Some Jazz Legends and Dear Future Self)
Soul Coloring Page
Soul Word Find

Have you watched Soul yet?
What is a favorite Pixar film for you and your family?