One of the year’s most anticipated releases of the year has finally dawned upon us in a jam packed, colorful package. An explosion of visuals and emotions condensed in a heartfelt story about love, family, friendship and celebrating who you are, Inside Out 2 is a kaleidoscopic burst of colors and heartwarming storytelling—and it's finally here!
It's true that this could describe almost any Disney-Pixar film from the past two decades, a testament to the family-centric brand they've built. Yet, Inside Out holds a special place in fans' hearts. Since the 2015 release of the original film, which many hailed as Pixar’s best since Toy Story 2, fans have eagerly awaited a sequel to Riley’s journey of self-discovery.
The first Inside Out captivated audiences of all ages with its ingenious depiction of our inner emotional lives, using vivid visuals and metaphors to illustrate the inner workings of our minds. Some may argue its simplicity is too straightforward, but that very simplicity is the film's strength, showcasing Disney-Pixar’s mastery of heartfelt, visual storytelling.
So, is Inside Out 2 a worthy successor? Absolutely! It successfully captures the essence of the original while expanding on its foundation, offering a meaningful exploration of self-acceptance. Directed by Kelsey Mann, who steps in for Pete Docter, the sequel picks up two years after the first film, with Riley now 13 years old and preparing for a new life in high school. Her emotions, once in turmoil, now work in harmony. But as any teenager knows, puberty is no walk in the park. Experiencing puberty is like being in a constant battle with yourself; you’re in a warzone and finding your footing in a world that can sometimes be too harsh and too hard to handle.
Enter new emotions. Anxiety, who stems from not knowing how to go about new obstacles in your burgeoning social world. Envy, who builds up from your insecurities about trying to be liked and to fit in. Embarrassment, who is responsible for our feelings with every flip and slip. And finally, Ennui, who we use as a way to cope when everything can be just a little too much for us to handle all at once.
Now adding up four more emotions to an already full cast of five can seem like overkill, but Mann’s direction for Inside Out 2 makes sure audiences don’t feel overwhelmed. Each new and even previous character gets to shine and have their own time and assert their integral part to the story as a whole.
This is also a testament to the well casted film. Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, is a breakout. It's amazing to see how Anxiety is conveyed through both her voice work and the character’s visual movements; Hawke’s performance of anxiety is somewhat personified. Ayo Ediberi also joins the Inside Out cast as Envy, and one can tell right now how much of a fan favorite she will become. Her cute and tiny frame juxtaposes with the ever notorious emotion that conveys jealousy.
It’s also worth it to mention that fan favorite sadness returns with Phyllis Smith doing another amazing reading along with Amy Poehler’s portrayal—which takes the helm of ever effervescent and sometimes a little too saccharine—of Joy. While some fans may find that the previous Inside Out portrayed Joy a little overbearing, Inside Out 2 completely spaces out screen time with the whole gamut of emotions present. This was a welcome change.
Visually, Inside Out 2 is a triumph. Pixar's animation dazzles, bringing Riley’s mind to life with a vibrant mix of shapes and colors, and rendering the real world with a distinct, signature style that borders on the uncanny.
However, the film isn't without flaws. It sometimes suffers from pacing issues, with rapid-fire dialogue that seems afraid to let the audience's attention wane. Some scenes could have been shorter, but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar film. But this does not take away from the overall picture. Inside Out 2 is a phenomenal film. It’s not perfect; but in a film conveying humanity, can humanity really be perfect?
Overall, Inside Out 2 is what one expects from an offering delivered from two of the biggest animation giants in the modern age. An enjoyable visual spectacle for the whole family to enjoy. It chaotically portrays the honesty and complexity of humanity and what makes us whole. We are a tornado of emotions, but we are not defined by what we feel, we are defined by the things we do and how we react. Mistakes make us whole. I believe there is something to take for everyone who watches this awesome film.
“Inside Out 2” is now showing in cinemas nationwide!
Words Charles Boswell
Art Dani Sison
This website uses cookies.