‘Inside Out 2’ Movie Review: A Superb Sequel Filled With Talent, Laughs, And Thoughtful Reflection
Photo from Disney/Pixar
From Joe Peltzer
It is important to recognize, at the start of this review, that 2015’s Inside Out absolutely broke me emotionally. The film is an intelligent triumph of animation that to this day stands as one of Pixar’s best. Naturally with the announcement of a sequel comes the understandable apprehension; sequels to original successful films rarely recapture the magic. Pixar also has had a bit of a rough run with Lightyear failing to deliver both critically and financially and Elemental not being beloved, though it ultimately became a cash cow. It is with evaporated cautious optimism and pure giddiness that I can confidently declare Inside Out 2 to be a worthy follow-up that expands upon the ideas of the first film in mature, logical ways… and is one of Pixar’s best films.
Kelsey Mann steps into the role of director for the sequel with Pete Docter (director/co-writer of the first and Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer) stays onboard as an executive producer. In Inside Out 2, a few years have passed and young Riley Anderson is hyper-focused on hockey and what high school will hold for her next year. With her elevation to a new school comes new emotions, led by Anxiety (Maya Hawke) and including Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser). Chaos ensues as the new arrivals take over and attempt to establish a new belief system to take Riley into the future as the staple emotions of Joy, Anger, Disgust, Sadness, and Fear fight to reestablish who they believe Riley really is. It’s witty, it’s hilarious (I laughed out loud multiple times), and it exudes that Disney Pixar charm we all have come to love.
Maya Hawke is an absolute standout among the new additions here, complimenting the likes of the returning Amy Poehler (Joy), Tony Hale (Fear), Phyllis Smith (Sadness) and Anger (Lewis Black) in terms of their ability to bring their respective characters/emotions to life. Along with the fantastic Ayo Edebiri (Envy), the new emotions bring intense energy and just the right mix of pubescent mood swings to instigate a different side of Riley and a new exploration of what makes up a person. Though the film doesn’t quite pack the same emotional sledgehammer as the first, it brilliantly expands upon the set foundation in a way that is both entertaining and accessible to all ages. Cleverly placed puns and deep cut jokes are peppered throughout (nods to sarcasm, suppressed memories, and the back of the mind all worthy of recognition) as the story remains focused on the internal complicated struggles of us all to balance our emotions and figure out who we truly are. Mann has truly crafted a beautiful reflection that cuts deep to the core of the audience and, yes, did result in some tears on my part.
Most impressive, in my opinion, is a scene that takes place in the “vault,” a reference to the previously-mentioned suppressed memories. As the original core emotions are seemingly replaced, they’re placed in a space with other long lost/forgotten memories, here in the form of a video game character that Riley once had a crush on and a cartoon character from a kids show who speaks to the audience a la Dora the Explorer. What stands out here is the difference in animation styles on display, the video game character emanating the glitchy style of an old Playstation game while the latter looks hand drawn and two dimensional at best. Set upon the three dimensional stylings of the film itself, it truly is a beautiful (and hilarious) scene.
Complimenting the smart script and the breathtaking animation is a charming and impactful score from Andrea Datzman. In moments of levity, you feel the energy from the score; in moments of emotional depth, you’re taken a notch deeper thanks to the beautiful renderings. It all comes together in a film that certainly doesn’t top the first, but comes damn close. Inside Out 2 finds all of the returning performers comfortable in their established roles and having a blast while the new additions help expand upon established storytelling, leading to an intelligent follow-up that leaves you wanting more.
Rating: 4.5/5
Inside Out 2 hits theaters on Friday, June 14th, 2024.
