Rave Reviews: Inside Out 2
By Jonah S.
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Movie Title: Inside Out 2
Studio: Disney, Pixar
Runtime: 1h 36m
Age Recommendation: 8+
Synopsis: Riley Anderson (Kensington Tallman) is thirteen now, and all seems to be going well up in her mind. However, when the mysterious “puberty” alarm goes off, many changes start occurring up in headquarters. Joy (Amy Poehler) and the rest of the crew are confronted with a new myriad of new emotions led by Anxiety (Maya Hawke). When the new emotions stage a coup and take over headquarters, it is up to the gang to keep Anxiety from completely controlling Riley’s life.
Caution: Mild spoilers for Inside Out 2
Review: It is no secret that sequels can have a hard time living up to the original. It is even more difficult when a studio makes a sequel to a universally acclaimed movie such as 2015’s Inside Out. I remember seeing the first movie and theaters and absolutely falling in love with it, but now nearly 10 years later, is its sequel any good? I am happy to report that this movie is quite excellent.
Like the first film, this movie tackles the complex themes such as anxiety and puts it into a fun, approachable package that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of ages. There are many fun characters and funny moments in this movie that younger kids will enjoy. However, the deeper meaning behind the story makes it something that can also be appreciated by adults.
As all good sequels do, this movie introduces new ideas that expand on the world from the previous movie. The biggest new system introduced in this movie is called the belief system. The belief system is a system of beliefs and ideas that form from our interactions and memories from the world around us. These beliefs form Riley’s sense of self (what Riley believes to be true about herself). What makes the sense of self so special is that it is the overall driving force behind Riley’s character and morals. One of my biggest criticisms of the first movie was that, while the concept of exploring the emotions inside a person's mind was really fascinating, the idea that one’s actions are only governed by the emotions that they feel, is not an accurate representation of the mind. Just because one is angry, does not mean that they have to react to that impulse. The sense of self is an override for the emotions, showing a growth in character and self control in Riley.
Unlike the first movie, there is a greater emphasis on the characters in the film. All of the emotions from the first film come back including Joy, Sadness (Phyliss Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira). However, this film also introduces a bunch of new characters as well, including Anxiety, Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos). At times the many characters can make the movie feel very busy, while simultaneously watering down some of the characters. For instance, the character of Envy gets little time to shine. Most of the time she is on screen, she acts more like Anxiety’s yes man than her own emotion. Also, at another point in the movie, several characters (who I will not spoil) are introduced. Despite their amazing potential, only one out of four of them returns in any meaningful way. This can leave one feeling as if there is a lack of closure.
On a more positive note, where Inside Out 2 shines in its overall message and theme. Most people can relate to the messiness of puberty. It is a time in one's life where there is a lot of change, especially in the brain. There is a heightened sense of emotion and social awareness that can lead to a lot of seemingly awkward situations. Inside Out 2, captures these interactions really well. Many of the scenes in this movie simultaneously make the audience feel for Riley, but also make the audience turn pink as they think about a time in their life that was similarly embarrassing. Anxiety, in particular, is handled really well. This bundle of nerves and energy perfectly captures the feeling of anxiety. The multi-phased plan, the incessant worrying about the future, and the constant seeking for approval are all too familiar feelings. While a certain level of anxiety can be helpful (like when a person needs something to drive them to study for that math test), letting it completely take control is dangerous and will leave a person feeling burned out.
Overall, Inside Out 2 is a worthy sequel to the original Inside Out. It is a relatable movie that deals with the often taboo subjects of our emotions. It introduces new ideas that expand the world and its themes. While the large cast can make the film seem a bit bloated at times, the overall message of the film still shines through. Inside Out 2 is a phenomenal film and that is why I give it an 8/10.
Rating:
8/10
Column: ⭐Reviews
Jonah S. has been at Northstar Academy for the past three years. He lives in the Middle-East with his parents and younger brother. Some of the things he enjoys include reading, writing, watching movies, playing video games, and building Legos. He also enjoys music, viola being his primary instrument.