Inside Out 2 explores new dimensions of Riley’s character while maintaining Pixar’s signature animation excellence, although some may question its necessity. The film weaves a delightful narrative that delves into Riley’s growth, offering a blend of entertainment and emotional depth.
Star Cast: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, and Ayo Edebiri.
Director: Kelsey Mann
What’s Good: Pixar’s animation quality continues to be the peak in the industry, even if, at this point, the character design and the environment feel too familiar.
What’s Bad: The film cannot escape the feeling of being too manipulative, to the point where you can almost see the hands of the puppeteer, taking you out of the experience.
Loo Break: Inside Out 2 is short and sweet, so there are no look breaks in here.
Watch or Not?: If you are a fan of Pixar, you might find this one to be one of their best films and enjoy it thoroughly.
Language: English (with subtitles).
Available On: Theatrical.
Runtime: 97 Minutes
In recent years, Pixar appeared to lose its magical touch, with films feeling more like personal therapy sessions for directors than powerful, universal stories. This decline was exacerbated by Disney’s strategy of releasing several Pixar films directly for streaming, diminishing the studio’s once-prestigious reputation. However, Pixar aims to reclaim its former glory with Inside Out 2, a highly anticipated sequel to one of its most beloved films.
In recent years, Pixar appeared to lose its magical touch, with films feeling more like personal therapy sessions for directors than powerful, universal stories. This decline was exacerbated by Disney’s strategy of releasing several Pixar films directly for streaming, diminishing the studio’s once-prestigious reputation. However, Pixar aims to reclaim its former glory with Inside Out 2, a highly anticipated sequel to one of its most beloved films.
Inside Out 2 Movie Review: Script Analysis
To say that Inside Out 2 is better than its first installment will not be accurate, as they are two films dealing with different stuff. Yes, Inside Out 2 still follows Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the emotions living inside Riley’s head. Still, this time, these characters feel secondary to Riley’s own story, which might be a surprise because the first film was all about Joy discovering her real place inside Riley’s emotional spectrum and working together with the other emotions.
Inside Out 2 still deals with the ever-changing mind of Riley, who is now a full-fledged teenager, and that, of course, brings about the entire baggage of being a teenager and changing both physically and mentally. By focusing on Riley as a character and not as a framing device for the emotions, Inside Out 2 feels very much like a film where Riley is the protagonist, and the developments that happen in her world, through her eyes, feel way more substantial and enjoyable than anything that is happening inside her head.
Of course, the inside of Riley’s head is a representation of everything that is happening outside of it; the feedback goes both ways and while Joy and the team need to deal with the appearance of new emotions, like Anxiety, Riley’s side of the story, as a complete character, feels like the main point of attention for the film. This makes the story very different from the first film and creates a closer relationship between the character and the audience.
The emotions are still fun to look at and follow around, but I felt that their side of the story was mostly predictable and lacking real gravitas, while Riley’s journey had a presence that was difficult to ignore. Inside Out 2 is more relatable than the first film, so if that is what you are looking for, you will love this one much more.
Inside Out 2 Movie Review: Star Performance
Inside Out 2 brings Riley to the forefront, allowing Kensington Tallman to shine as the true star of the film. Her voice work is nuanced, energetic, and compelling, capturing the full spectrum of emotions within Riley’s mind. Tallman’s performance is perfectly suited to portray Riley’s complex journey through adolescence.
Inside Riley’s head, Maya Hawke stands out as Anxiety, a character that resonates deeply in today’s high-stress world. Hawke’s cracked voice and chaotic energy effectively convey the unsettling nature of anxiety, making the character both relatable and compelling. Her performance is so impactful that anxiety becomes a memorable highlight, even when the character’s presence is inherently discomforting.
Ayo Edebiri also delivers a strong performance, but it is Hawke who truly steals the show. Her portrayal of anxiety brings a fresh and authentic dimension to Riley’s internal world, enhancing the film’s exploration of the teenage experience.
Inside Out 2 Movie Review: Direction, Music
Inside Out 2 is directed by Kelsey Mann, known for his work on the Monster’s Inc. short Party Central over a decade ago. Mann’s direction here focuses more on maintaining the film’s coherence rather than introducing a distinctive style. While keeping a complex narrative on track is no small feat, this approach results in the film feeling somewhat less unique and more like a product of a well-oiled machine.
Much like the first Inside Out and many other Pixar films, the “puppeteer’s hands” are quite visible in this sequel. The storytelling often feels guided, aiming to evoke specific emotional responses rather than allowing emotions to arise naturally from the narrative. This deliberate manipulation can disrupt the immersive experience, making the audience feel like they are being led to feel rather than naturally experiencing the story’s emotional depth.
Overall, while Inside Out 2 maintains Pixar’s high standards of animation and delivers a compelling narrative, it sometimes struggles with feeling overly controlled and less organic. The film’s direction and emotional cues may leave some viewers feeling more manipulated than moved.
(Photo Credit: Times Of India)
Inside Out 2 Movie Review: The Last Word
Inside Out 2 addresses the issues from the first film, yet its unique direction sets it apart from the original installment. The animation is truly exceptional, showcasing Pixar’s unparalleled expertise. While it would be exciting to see Pixar experiment with different animation styles, it’s undeniable that they excel at their signature approach.
This sequel could signify a return to form for Pixar, rekindling the studio’s reputation for high-quality storytelling and animation. However, to fully recapture their former glory, Pixar still needs to deliver a massive original hit, reminiscent of their earlier successes.
Inside Out 2 Trailer
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