A must-see: ‘Soul,’ the movie we’ve been hoping for, did not disappoint

Disney and Pixar’s movie “Soul” released on Christmas last year and I was very excited to watch it for many reasons. I had high expectations after seeing the sneak peeks and the genuine excitement coming from the internet. The storyline and the Black characters — what was not to love?

To be clear, I did not hate the movie. It was, though, a little wrong-footed. “Soul” is coming from Disney and Pixar, who are known for making movies that appeal to a younger audience. I was expecting “Soul” to be nothing less —music-packed and an emotional ride, but it was not. If anything, “Soul” is more for an older audience.

The movie tackles large topics head-on — death, the afterlife and, most importantly, your life’s purpose, which is something I’m still trying to figure out. It was more serious and thought-provoking than I’d expected. I would say that tone-wise, “Soul” follows a movie like “WALL-E”: serious but accessible even to the youngest minds. The concepts in “Soul” are thought out and displayed clearly. The animation is some of the best I’ve seen in a while.

Besides that, it is nice to see more representation on the big screen. Maybe the industry is finally listening to audiences, or at least I hope so. I want to see the untold stories of different cultures told respectfully for the masses.

Though the emotional plot of the movie wavers (like I said, it’s a rollercoaster), some moments hit home. Jerry and Terry (who are translucent), the souls, and their scenes in the city are the reasons (the main reasons, really) you have to see “Soul.”  You might even cry, but is it really a Disney Pixar movie if you don’t tear up a little bit?