Pixar has become the name when it comes to winning the award for Best Picture-Animated at the Golden Globes, and I don’t expect anything to change this year. With the release of Soul, this is set to be the next movie from their prestigious studio that is destined to take home the coveted award.
Soul tells the story of Joe Gardner, a music teacher in New York City, that is trying to live out his dream of becoming a professional jazz musician. The character of Joe like many in all career fields is simply trying to make it and has the opportunity for his big break when he can audition for a famous jazz singer. Following this audition this grounded story of music in New York takes a turn, as Joe falls into a manhole and enters the “Great Beyond,” where the souls of people on Earth that are about to die go. Freaked out by the prospect of his passing Joe’s soul makes its way to the “Great Before,” where our souls are shaped before they are sent to Earth to inhabit our bodies, in an effort to try and make his way back home.
This concept of an afterlife and a world before, examining the literal meaning of how we come to be and what happens to us after we pass on Earth, is the basis for what makes this film so special. As it is able to bring together high-brow concepts in a way that is still firmly rooted in the Pixar tradition of being an animated film that children can understand. It seeks to teach us that we need to find our inner passion in life, but should not get consumed by that. The film hammers home the idea that we need to be present in our lives and appreciate every moment in front of us. One scene so poetically touches on this idea, showcasing flashes of Joe’s memories throughout his life, that moved me to tears. This is by far one of the most insightful movies of the year, that is sure to make anyone that watches it, take a long look at themselves. That is the power behind Soul, that it makes us appreciate the world around us, which is something that we often take for granted.
The actual animation of the film can only be described with one word: breathtaking. The shots displayed of New York City are so well animated that at several points it had me really believing it was actually shots of the city. The attention to detail in all of the character work, from their clothes to the individual strands of hair on their head, showcases the effort of the animation team behind the film. And while the shots of the city are picturesque, the animation of the world of the soul is truly an abstract masterpiece. The character modeling of this entire new world perfectly blends a multitude of colors and shapes, creating the feeling that this is something special that no one has ever seen before. It seems that as Pixar has continued to push movies out on almost a yearly basis their animation continues to get sharper and this is no exception. This film should be viewed as the gold standard for what an animated film should look like, with its visuals rivaling that of traditional films.
What truly sets the film apart from most of the other animated films of the year is the remarkable score composed by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste. The beautiful blend of original jazz composition and more contemporary pieces for the segments of the film taking place in the “Great Before” and “Great After,” serves as the perfect backdrop for the whole film. The score aides in adding intense drama and humor to certain scenes, in a way that most films just do not get right. Ultimately, the success of the score isn’t really surprising considering that Reznor and Atticus Ross have earned five total nominations for original score at the Globes, including another nomination this year in the same category for Mank. When you bring in elite composers, you will get results, and clearly Pixar understood this when making Soul.
So, What Are the Chances of Winning?
Best Picture-Animated:
Ultimately, this is a no brainer when considering Soul for the Best Picture-Animated category, as it is a tour de force on all levels of production. Not only is the movie better than the other films in the category, this may be one of the best animated films of the last 20 years. I would be willing to say that Soul is the winner of this category come awards day, barring some kind of crazy selection by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. For the most part the HFPA has always shown Pixar love, even for worse movies, so Soul winning is a foregone conclusion.
Best Score Motion Picture:
Now, this is a category where things get tricky for Soul. While it’s nomination for score is an obvious choice, this is a tough category to win as an animated film. In the last 20 years only one animated picture has won the award for best score, and that was Up in 2009. This clearly shows that the odds and statistics are just not looking good for Soul. When history is stacked against you I find it hard to say that the HFPA gives the film the win here, especially considering it is nominated against strong contenders. Never say never, but I’d say the chances of Pixar taking home the trophy here are slim.
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