My favorite Pixar movie. Inside Out was great, but the sequel is even better.
The complexity of the emotions' interactions is beautifully elegant, intricate, and nuanced. For those who hadn't seen the first movie, Joy and Sadness were foils for each other. Not exactly enemies or even rivals, but certainly stepped on each others' toes and had to collaborate through diametrically opposed philosophies
Disgust, Anger, and Fear make up the supporting cast along with Riley's parents, Bing Bong, and a funny imaginary boy band boyfriend. They all have their relatable, charismatic, important and funny moments, but Joy is the main character and Sadness is her lieutenant.
In Inside Out 2, we meet Anxiety and her lieutenants Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment as Riley starts to experience adolescence. Anxiety is the new Joy, managing the others' opinions and debates.
But a life led by Anxiety instead of Joy and positivity looks very very different; Riley is now angling at becoming the youngest ever varsity hockey player, and has to push herself much harder than is comfortable to achieve this goal. Once in awhile she loses who she really is to get ahead, fitting in with and outcompeting the other girls on the team
And the B-plot sees Anxiety and Joy internally battling for control over Riley, with the smorgasbord of other emotions bouncing around as well, swaying Riley this way and that
The complexity and nuance that Pixar have brought to the table continue to turn the traditional narrative on its head. We have no real villains in Inside Out 2, like in Finding Nemo and Toy Story 4 before it. Anxiety is an important part of Riley, just like we learned that Sadness held an important role back in Inside Out 1.
I came, I laughed, I loved, I reflected, and I was conquered.
5.6/6 stars
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