Pixar ‘comes of age’ with the emotional ‘Inside Out’
Layered with metaphor after metaphor, Pixar’s Inside Out is hardly just a kid’s film, but rather, a deeply thought provoking “coming of age” story told in a unique and entertaining manner.
Inside the brain on a young girl named Riley (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias) is a gambit of emotions all vying for their chance to control their “human.” Joy (Amy Poehler) heads the team which includes Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Bill Hader) and Disgust (Mindy Kaling).
Riley is extremely emotional as the family relocates to the West Coast from Minnesota and Joy is suddenly struggling to understand how and why her human is “changing.”
Core, long term and incidental memories are shunted through headquarters (her mind) as Riley’s world is quickly shaken as Sadness touches and alters the pleasant memories of the girl’s past.
A masterful adventure through her short life becomes and exposition on life, parenting, personal growth and the process of healing.
Pixar hits another home run with Inside Out, tapping into the battle in each and every audience’s mind.
Lewis Black’s Anger is sure to be staple for t-shirts and talking action figurines as the comedian steals every scene.
Childhood comes alive through Riley’s memories as Joy realizes the role and value of the other emotions, especially Sadness, and how fragile life can truly be.
Co-directors Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen’s Inside Out somehow find the balance to entertain the children while shredding the heartstrings of each parent watching.
This is a buddy film, a road trip and adventure film — all bundled into an animated flick which actually delivers on the deeper, complex subject matter.
The voice cast is adequate with Black being the perfect pitch to leap into our long term memory banks. I don’t want to spoil the role of Bing Bong (Richard Kind), but I was truly moved at the depth added there.
Overall Inside Out receives 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
The credits take the film to a whole different of entertainment, offering some of the best laughs, especially for pet owners. Pixar just jumped ahead in the Oscar race for Best Animated Film, so you don’t want to miss it.
