pixar's soul #film #animation #life #disney

pixar's soul is one of those movies that makes you stop and think about life in a way you might not have before. it's not just a fun animated film; it's a contemplation like what it means to be alive, what our purpose is, and how we find meaning in the everyday moments. watching it, i felt a mix of curiosity and wonder, like i was seeing life from a whole new perspective.

the movie really plays with the idea of existentialism, which is basically the belief that we get to decide what our lives mean. joe gardner, the main character, spends his days dreaming of being a famous jazz musician. he’s so focused on this one goal that it seems like nothing else in his life matters. it made me think about how often we’re told to find our passion or purpose, and how that pressure can make us feel like we’re missing out if we don’t have it all figured out. but soul flips that idea, suggesting that maybe life isn’t about chasing after some big, elusive purpose. instead, it’s about experiencing the journey itself, finding joy in the little things.

there’s this place in the movie called — the great before, where souls get ready before they come to earth. it’s here that the film really digs into the idea that our purpose isn’t something that’s handed to us, but something we create through living. the character 22, who’s been avoiding life on earth for who knows how long, really resonated with me. they don’t see the point in living because they can’t find a specific purpose, which honestly feels like a question i’ve asked myself before. but as the story unfolds, 22 starts to realize that meaning isn’t something you find; it’s something that happens when you’re living life, even in the small, everyday moments that seem unimportant.

another thing that struck me was how the movie explores the connection between our minds and bodies. when joe’s soul is separated from his body, it made me wonder how much of who we are is tied to our physical selves. is our identity just about our body and mind working together, or is there something more? it’s kind of a mind-bending idea, thinking about whether we’re more than just our physical selves.
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on the psychological side, soul also touches on some pretty cool ideas like flow states and self-actualization. there’s this scene where joe gets totally lost in playing the piano, and it’s like nothing else exists. that’s what psychologists call a flow state, where you’re so absorbed in what you’re doing that time just disappears. watching that made me think about the times when i’ve been so into something that everything else fades away, and how those moments are when i feel most alive.
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and then there’s the whole idea of self-actualization—this concept that’s about becoming the best version of yourself. but soul shows that this isn’t just about achieving some big career goal. it’s more about appreciating life as it happens, finding fulfillment in the small moments instead of just waiting for the big ones. it made me think about how often i get caught up in trying to figure out my future, forgetting that life is happening right now.
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the part that really got me thinking was when joe finally gets what he’s always wanted, but it doesn’t make him as happy as he thought it would. it’s like this moment of realization that maybe fulfillment isn’t about reaching a goal, but about enjoying the process. it’s a strange feeling, realizing that the thing you thought would make you complete might not be the answer after all.
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soul is a comforting thought, especially when you’re still trying to figure out who you are and what you want from life.

- parth