Ever wonder how the love for your passion came to be? Disney-Pixar’s Soul is an introspective journey on life, passion, and finding your “spark.” Directed by Oscar-winning director, producer, and scriptwriter Pete Docter, the film features the hustle and bustle of New York City, with truly spectacular jazz music, and a generous amount of existential questions about life. 

Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) is an aspiring musician with crumbling dreams. After landing what seems to be the breakthrough gig of his career—playing with a local jazz legend—Joe is unexpectedly taken out of his own body, and thrown into the afterlife. Desperately, he tries to find a way back in time for his gig with the help of an unlikely accomplice—a directionless unborn soul called '22' (Tina Fey).

While 22 begins to discover the meaning of life, Joe’s desperation to achieve his life-long dream makes him forget the beauty of living. Both their stories are familiar ones, albeit for different reasons. Joe is a classic example of how passion can consume a person, while 22 reminds audiences of how even the most independent and strong-willed individuals need a hand to remind them that deviance is not the only way to live. 

Crisis of existence with a dash of jazz

But what does it mean to follow your passion? More importantly, what if your “spark” isn't your passion? Soul presents these existential questions to viewers throughout the film; all while gorgeous piano riffs, saxophones, and ambient jazz tunes play in the background.

The film overstimulates someone newly exposed to a chaotic environment, with New York City’s chaos as a base line. 22’s confusion, amazement and giddiness were infectious while Joe’s frustrations and blatant normality was a call out on how relatable the film’s themes were.

Its portrayal of the worlds that come before and after death are nothing short of extraordinary. A set of aloof, morally gray guides run things in the “Great Before”—where new souls are placed before they are sent to Earth—ascribing personalities and values.  Meanwhile, in the “Great Beyond,” where souls are sent after death, a hyper-legalistic bookkeeper of life maintains order; later becoming the villain of the story. Disney-Pixar explores the ideas of life, death, and personhood in a marvelously complex yet an entertaining way.

However, Soul is not all existentialism. Overall, this animated film is full of exceptional humor, unconventional relationships, and heartwarming connections. It highlights the importance of seeing the magic in the most mundane of things, while reminding audiences that it's okay to simply appreciate whatever life throws at us. 

For fans of jazz music and lighthearted yet impactful shows such as “The Good Place,” Disney-Pixar’s latest offering is definitely a must-watch.