Inside Out 2 (2024)

Inside Out 2 (2024)

9/10

Starring

Amy Poehler

Maya Hawke

Kensington Tallman

Liza Lapira

Tony Hale

 

Directed by Kelsey Mann

 

Inside Out 2 comes nine years after the original, Inside Out (2015). This sequel reflects a conscious decision by Disney to return to its roots of what made their animations amazing. I have to be honest, in recent years, Disney’s storytelling had taken a backseat to messaging. Their animations now have plots designed to appeal to specific groups, and side lining the rest of us. This resulted in weak plots and thankfully bad box office returns. So, Inside Out 2 signals the needed shift back to masterful storytelling and thoughtful world building, over messaging.

We are back again in Riley's mind, and seeing how her emotions deal with the new stage in Riley's life, the chaos that is puberty. In the first animation we met the original emotions of her childhood: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. These emotions worked together to create Riley’s sense of self, this sequel flips the narrative. You see, Riley turns thirteen, and along with this new age comes new emotions. We now have Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment. These emotions quickly take over the control center in her mind, side lining the original team. Anxiety, in particular, takes control of Riley’s actions in a bid to prepare her for the uncertainties of adolescence.

With Anxiety in control, you can imagine what follows. Try and thinking of the bad decisions you make when you allow anxiety to be the driving force of your decisions, which I found relatable. We see how Riley struggles to fit in, and, choosing to distance herself from her old friends which she went to the hockey camp with, and reshaping herself to match what she perceives as "cool" and fit in with her new friends. She starts to pretend to like what they like, and lie about who she really is, so that she can fit in.

Anxiety becomes the dominant force, steering Riley into choices that threaten her sense of identity.

Meanwhile, the sidelined emotions from the first animation embarked on a journey through Riley’s streams of consciousness to return to the control center. They face numerous challenges in the maze-like terrain of her mind, many of which are signs of what to expect if there is an Inside Out 3.

The film’s ability to depict the psychological and emotional upheaval of adolescence is where it truly shines. It captures how anxiety can magnify insecurities, driving us to conform and suppress our authentic selves.

Visually, for me, Inside Out 2 continues Pixar’s tradition of stunning animation, with the mind’s landscapes brought to life in vivid detail. The film’s exploration of Riley’s psyche is both imaginative and emotionally grounded, enhancing the storytelling.

The success of Inside Out 2 at the box office is a testament to its quality and how much viewers can relate to it. The movie feels like a turning point for Disney, a reminder of the studio’s ability to craft timeless stories that balance humor, heart, and innovation.

Instead of trying to please the few, they should focus on compelling narratives and memorable characters, returning to the magic of classic storytelling that stands the test of time.