Inside Out 2 is a warranted sequel. So often studios will crank out sequels for business reasons, despite the fact there is either no way to continue a story that has already been resolved; or that the sequel could not live up to the standard set by the original. Thankfully that is not the case, here.
In 2015’s Inside Out, Pixar gave, what I consider, to be one of their most creative and original movies as we saw the inner-thoughts of 11-year-old Riley personified by a committee of five emotions: Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Sadness (an example of some of the best casting decisions in film history).
Two years later, just as Riley is getting used to her five main emotions, puberty begins, accompanied by the arrival of four new emotions: Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui, all led by Anxiety. While Riley’s emotions dealt with her move across the country in the first movie, the four new emotions take Riley in a different direction as she navigates unfamiliar territory with the social pressures that are a part of the teenage experience (such as self-esteem and ethical dilemmas.)
Anxiety guides an ambitious and competitive Riley towards poor decision-making, justifying it all as an attempt to make a good first impression at a hockey camp for talented youth. What makes her a powerful antagonist is that her rationale appears to be sound. While we know better as we watch the movie, our suspension of disbelief believes her ideas to be reasonable (kudos to the writing team for this.)
Beyond the overall narrative and performances, I must give credit to Pixar for keeping the creative spark going through metaphors about the subconscious. But what I truly must commend is Pixar’s depiction of mental health in teenagers and how these years are a vulnerable era as teens seek to establish their own identities, experience the popularity contest, and understand right and wrong.
While Pixar movies are family-themed movies, I think this installment is incredibly relevant to teenagers (even the ones who are going through the brief aversion of anything from their childhoods to be avoid being lame.) I hope it consoles them and lets them know it that they are human, it is okay to not be perfect, and, above all: to love themselves.
I have learned over the years that I should be suspicious over sequels as they are often unnecessary, but Pixar has given me another reason to still hope for them despite the prospects of let-downs. Inside Out 2 gave its original characters another opportunity to prove themselves and they nailed it.
With the success of this sequel, I believe a third installment is inevitable. I cannot help but wonder how Riley’s subconscious committee would handle young adult life down the road?
Who knows?
I just hope I don’t jinx it.
About the Author: Though no longer a resident of Lyme, Conn., Kevin knows he can never sever his roots to the tree of his identity. When not attending to his job in Boston, he is committed to ensuring a better grasp of current (and past) releases of cinema to his home community as he strives to leave his own mark in the same field that has always been his guide to understanding life. If you enjoy his published reviews here on LymeLine.com, follow him on his website at ‘The City of Cinema‘ and read more of his unique insights into entertainment.