Inside Out 2

 

Back in 2015 I fell in love with the charm and heart of Pixar’s Inside Out. Nine years later I’ve been anxiously awaiting the sequel Inside Out 2 to hit the big screen.  Returning voice cast members include Amy Poehler (Joy), Lewis Black (Anger), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Diane Lane (Mom), and Kyle MacLachlan (Dad).  The story picks up a year after events in the original story as Riley becomes a teenager, hits puberty, and begins the transition from middle to high school. Adding the new emotions of Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) into the mix.

Due to unexpected circumstances, by the time I actually sat down to watch this film, I was over the whole movie going experience and wanting to just go home. Not really an attitude conducive for being open to the film experience. Adding to my pissy mindset, the huge crowd filled with screaming kids running around and I was ready to bolt before the previews were over. However, not wanting to brave the 100 degrees plus heat to get back to the car, I opted to power through my growing aggravation.   

I am so glad I did. Inside Out 2 delivers. Even the baby three seats away, crying for a good hour of the hour thirty-six-minute runtime of the film didn’t manage to dampen my enjoyment of this film.

As expected, the animation and visuals are outstanding. The world building/expansion excellent. And the complexity between the old emotions dealing with, integrating, and balancing with the new ones is beautifully executed. 

Yes, you get all the feels. Pun both intended and not intended.  

Inside Out 2 offers plenty of callbacks, references, and homages that delight. Good humor and relatable cringe moments that will make you smile.

While lacking a bit more in charm and heart than the original, and some of the new characters aren’t as well developed, Inside Out 2 is still a solid, enjoyable film and a worthy sequel. The kids in the audience were engaged (sans baby) and the adults were captivated as well. IO2 is another animated film firmly in the category of kids and adults will both enjoy, but hits differently for adults.

And it hits hard.  

Anxiety is a motengator.  

You will feel seen and validated across the board with this one. The poignant line, "Maybe this is what happens when you grow up, you feel less joy”?  Yeah. Wow. Chef’s kiss. Definitely my “damn” moment where I wanted/needed a hug. 

Adulting is hard.

Bravo Pixar. 

You once again came through and delivered a winner. Inside Out 2 is worth a trip to your local movie theater to check out on the big screen.  FYI, there is a bonus scene after the very end of the credits so check it out if you can. 

Inside Out 2 gets a 9 from me.

#InsideOut2