Dir: Kelsey Mann
Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Paul Walter Hauser, and Adèle Exarchopoulos
1h 36m
We can all recall those awkward moments from our challenging adolescent years. Cinema has a way of uniquely recreating these uncomfortable encounters throughout many coming-of-age movies. Kelsey Mann's "Inside Out 2" is no exception. This sweet and sentimental sequel takes a poignant look at maturation, with Riley, now 13, navigating the tumultuous waters of the teenage experience. "Inside Out 2" crafts a relatable story that uses the foundations established in the original film as building blocks for a more complex emotional tale. It also proves that the best Pixar animated films are the ones that grow with their young audience.
"Inside Out," released in 2015, introduced audiences to Riley and her parents, who were moving from Minnesota to San Francisco. Along the journey, Riley's colorfully rendered emotions inside her mind assist with maneuvering through the pre-teen complications of living in an unfamiliar city.
"Inside Out 2" sees Riley (Kensington Tallman), now a teenager, making another change from middle school to high school while also saying goodbye to her best friends, Grace (Grace Lu) and Bree (Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green), at a summer hockey camp. All these complicated life experiences bring chaos to the emotions trying to keep up with the rapidly changing times. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Disgust (Liza Lapira), Fear (Tony Hale), and Anger (Lewis Black) are assisted in these new life experiences by Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos).
At one moment in the film, a construction crew enters Riley's mind and posts a sign that says, "Pardon our dust. Puberty is messy." "Inside Out 2" handles the messy parts of being a young person inundated with a wealth of new feelings with thoughtful observations and insightful outlooks. Whether the literal chasm formed when sarcasm is discovered, the composition of Embarrassment compared to the other emotions that display the magnitude of an embarrassing moment, or the inescapable web that forms as Anxiety tries to solve every possible problem that Riley could experience. Unsurprisingly, the production sought the guidance of a group of teens, dubbed "Riley's Crew," to consult on the authenticity of the moments in the film. These flourishes of creative storytelling and care with character building give "Inside Out 2" a very relatable and honest quality.
The new emotions bring an essential element to the storytelling, but they are also a charming addition. Anxiety quickly proves the new dominant emotion the moment Riley realizes she may be alone, without her best friends, when she goes to high school. Embarrassment wears a hoodie that tightens with every awkward moment. And Ennui, a scene stealer many times, is French and can't be bothered to leave the couch. Having new emotions to introduce creates a balancing act of Riley's original emotions mixed with the new ones, but it seldom feels like one is getting more attention than the other.
The theme of 'maturity' in 'Inside Out 2' is handled with ingenuity by writers Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein. Riley is developing a core belief system that shapes her growing sense of self. Amidst the myriad of emotions, Anxiety takes control in a way that is both protective and self-destructive. The writers strike a perfect balance, never delving deeper than necessary for the story. The film's success lies in dramatizing these complex emotions in a thematically truthful and coherent way. In creating connections for the emotional characters, the viewer fosters an understanding of the essential partnership between Joy and Sadness. It thoughtfully creates a visual representation of how Anxiety creates a storm of chaotic control. At its best, 'Inside Out 2' sparks a dialogue about feelings and emotions, allowing young people and adults to have the opportunity to engage in an open conversation.
"Inside Out 2" is a charming sequel with an important story. The themes are wonderfully connected on a personal level for young people and adults. The animation is exuberant, the characters are rich with wit, and the storytelling proposes insightful ideas that make this film a winning combination on numerous levels. Pixar has crafted a sequel that honors the original film and paves a new story that stands on its own.
Monte's Rating
4.00 out of 5.00
