Merry Christmas and happy holidays, dear listeners! The Cinematic Schematic podcast is here with a special bonus episode reviewing Disney Pixar’s new movie releasing directly on Disney+ on Christmas Day, Soul. To meet the special occasion, we are joined by my 2020 COVID-pandemic partner in crime, the Video Peach, Lauren Weingart. Tune in to hear our reactions and analysis of one of this year’s biggest holiday releases, being released exclusively via Disney’s streaming platform.

Longtime fans of Pixar may remember the Soul co-writer/director Pete Doctor‘s past films with the studio including Monsters Inc., Up, and Inside Out–their cream of the crop. If 2015’s Inside Out was Doctor’s exploration of human emotion, Soul is his examination of human spirituality. Where does inspiration originate? What’s the special energy that gets individuals motivated and excited to take on each and every day? How do purpose and fulfillment work together in the human psyche to create happiness and a sense of belonging? These are just a few of the questions this film considers through its highly creative and hugely ambitious story.

Don’t let the deep and larger than life ideas and themes concern you, Soul is a highly entertaining film for the whole family. In true Pixar tradition, it’s got a star-studded cast, largely African American, including Jamie Foxx, Questlove, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey, Daveed Diggs, Graham Norton and many others.

According to IMDB, Soul is described as:

A musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about themself.

Episode Time Stamps

0:15 – Introductions

2:09 – Spoiler-Free Review

21:23 – Spoiler Discussion

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