Inside Out 2 Review

 Review

 Nine years after the original "Inside Out" (2015), Pixar brings us "Inside Out 2," and it’s well worth the wait. As Riley faces the challenges of adolescence, her emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—are once again at the helm, trying to navigate the rollercoaster of changes. But this time, they’re joined by new emotions. With puberty comes new and more complex emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui, as Riley adjusts to life in high school.

Animation and Visuals

The film is stunning with the bright and colorful visuals. Especially in the portrayal of Riley's brain. The landscape of the mind world just got wider and more vibrant. The animation characters are cute. After all, it's a Pixar film. The attention to detail is incredible—the more you look, the more you notice the little things which make the world of "Inside Out 2" so engaging.

What's the story about?

The story picks up with Riley entering high school. Joy is now giving more space to other emotions like Sadness, Anger, and Fear. But with Riley’s new phase of life comes new emotions. Anxiety emerges as the leader of these new emotions, believing that Riley needs more sophisticated guidance to handle her teenage years. Anxiety even goes so far as to lock away the original emotions, convinced that she alone can help Riley prepare for the uncertainties of the future.

As Riley starts high school, she’s faced with the pressures of fitting in and trying to impress the "cool kids." She even distances herself from her old friends as she learned they are going to different colleges, lying about her interests just to fit in. The film captures the relatable struggle of wanting to be accepted, even when it means pretending to be someone you’re not. Despite her questionable choices, the film makes us empathize with Riley as she navigates this challenging time.

As Riley’s brain becomes a battleground of old and new emotions, the film delves into the chaos that comes with growing up. The old emotions are locked away, and with Anxiety raking control as she believes Riley needs more sophisticated emotions. Riley begins to lose the sense of self that Joy had built—one based on positive memories and a belief in being a good person. Instead, Anxiety fosters a belief in not being good enough. 

The story emphasizes that nobody is perfect and that it’s essential to embrace all our memories, even the bad ones, to truly understand ourselves. The first film taught us the value of Sadness, and this sequel expands on that idea, showing us that as we grow older, we need to embrace all kinds of emotions. Even though Anxiety causes trouble, the film also shows why it’s necessary—Anxiety can be useful if we understand and manage it correctly.

Joy and Anxiety are basically guardians for Riley. Both initially believe that Riley only needs one of them to thrive, but they eventually realize that Riley needs a balance of all her emotions to navigate her new life. This realization is something that many parents can relate to as they watch their children grow up and face new challenges.

  The story is well-written, with plenty of room for each character to shine. The film is also funny, especially when it introduces new 2D animated characters reminiscent of "Dora the Explorer." 

One of the film’s strengths is its ability to connect with both younger audiences and adults. It explores concepts like how emotions and memories shape our sense of self and our core beliefs and how our life choices are tied to them. The movie also touches on deeper psychological concepts like identity, self-realization, and finding one’s place in the world.

"Inside Out 2" is a touching and insightful film that delivers important life lessons. It explores the fears and anxieties that come with growing up, the changes that make us question who we are, and the importance of embracing all aspects of our emotions. Whether you’re a teenager trying to find your way or an adult looking back on your own journey, this film is sure to resonate. Pixar has once again created a movie that is not only entertaining but also deeply meaningful.

My Screen Times Score _9

IMdb -7.8

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) -91%

Genre - Animation, Family, Drama

Rating - PG

Runtime - 1 hour  40 Minutes