I'm not dying the very day I get my shot.

SOUL is a strange hybrid of a film. In the 'real world' the animation is very much in the PIXAR style with characters and things drawn broadly. Out of the real world the animation is more abstract with characters reminiscent of a Picasso.

Joe in the real world, zebra crossing (like the Beatles), (c) 2020 Disney

Animation supervisor Jude Brownbill says, "(Ronald) Searle and 101 DALMATIANS influenced the look and feel of SOUL in almost every department -- from the imperfect shape of buildings, furniture and props, to the number of folds on a characters' clothing. For animation, Searle's influence inspired bold and direct posing within clear compositions that lead the viewer's eye through the scene. Studying 101 DALMATIANS reinforced the importance of laying out one acting idea at a time and holding within key poses to allow important moments to be read more clearly.

The Soul World, (c) 2020 Disney

This isn't the great beyond. It's the great before.

SOUL also slips between being a grown-up film and a kids' film. Children are capable of rising to quite responsible and abstract discussions, but there are times in this film that there is some confusion about just who the targetted audience is.

According to scripter Docter: "I remember one day I was biking and I stopped and picked a raspberry. It was warmed by the sun and became the most amazing raspberry I ever had. I still remember that nearly-nothing moment vividly. Almost any moment in our lives could be a transcendental moment that defines why we're here. This film is about broadening the idea of a singular focus to thinking more widely about what life has to offer and what we have to offer life."

Thus, there is a suggestion that the film-makers are aiming for universality in SOUL. Is it to existential for the young? Is it a bit obvious for adults?

The film-makers have paid particular attention to the music. Disney says complementing those visual choices is a two-pronged approach to the music. "GRAMMY®-nominated Jon Batiste--singer, composer, songwriter, band leader, jazz genius -- is producing the jazz, which amplifies the gritty, beautiful New York City-side of the film," says Murray. "When you see Joe's hands playing in the film, that's Jon's playing. Our animators studied reference footage of Jon at the piano to capture details of how he plays--everything from how his fingers move to the breaths he takes. " "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails took on all the music from the 'soul' world," Murray continues. "It's so ethereal. The contrast they bring is really exciting. It's an unexpected choice for Pixar--this is like nothing we've ever done before. I love the combination we have."

What is the result? This looks to be part of the Disney move to sell more non-family content. The film-makers employ some interesting tactics in telling their story. Whether SOUL is good story-telling, or just a clever exercise is something that only time will tell.

by Ali Kayn Due for Australian release 25 Dec, 2020 (2020-12-25) For credits and official site details, see below Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below. See also: Recent Disney Animated Films: For more recent reviews and first looks, see this month's column in Festivale. We also post news, reviews and trailers to Reel Life's Facebook page and trailers and clips on our YouTube Channel. Join in the discussion on Facebook

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Just the facts: Title: Soul (2020) Written by: Chandler Sprague & David Boehm Directed by: Pete Docter & Kemp Powers (dir, scr) Music by: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (original score by) Running time: 100 mins Rating: PG The Players: Tina Fey (voice, additional dialogue), Graham Norton, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade Official website: https://movies.disney.com/soul IMDb entry For scheduled release dates, see the coming attractions section. For more information about this movie, check out the internet movie database. For the latest additions to Festivale, check out the change history section.

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