Film Preview: Soul (2020)

Page Revisions:

(November 10, 2019) Original
(March 22, 2020) New Trailer (#2) / New Posters (#2-#3)
(October 25, 2020) New Trailer (#3) / New Posters (#4-#7)

Release Date:

June 19, 2020

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “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 herself.”

Poster Rating: B- / B+ / C+ / B- / B- / C+ / C+

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) It’s a simple artistic design that doesn’t ask for a lot of details, nor does it need it. Those details that are here are at least modestly compelling.

(#2) The Japanese theme posters for 2020 are always interesting to look at, though this one seems to have fewer features of interest than it should. (#3) There isn’t enough here. The spirit coming out of his chest/logo is interesting enough, but the rest of the poster is lifeless and sparse with the cat being a strange inclusion.

(#4) A lot of details in this design, but it also feels surprisingly vacant. (#5) It speaks to the film’s themes and images as well as can be expected, but still has a lackluster background design. (#6) Not far removed from the prior design, but that doesn’t make it interesting. Less vacant background space is a good thing. (#7) Almost the same characters and all of the same problems of design #6.

Trailer Rating: B / C+ / B

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Review: (#1) Getting the set up in the first trailer is a wise decision for an original property. There’s just enough here to plant the seeds of interest in young audiences and their parents as well as fans of the Pixar brand.

(#2) There are significantly more details here than the prior trailer, but it doesn’t necessarily make it look that exciting. It looks like a cross between Coco and Inside Out without either film’s uniqueness.

(#3) Back to the plucky adventurousness that Pixar has become known for, this trailer looks less like Coco and Inside Out, which helps it stand out a bit better. The comedy in this trailer also does a better job at reaching the audience.

Oscar Prospects:

Another Pixar film opening the summer, this film has a lot of potential for Oscar consideration in spite of looking something like a cross between Coco and Inside Out except with a spiritual twist. It’s also an original Pixar, which will put it at the front of the line for an Oscar nomination.