Hello :-)
Pixar have been
the leading light in modern children’s animation since the release of the
seminal Toy Story in 1995. However, when the studio turned out Cars 2 in 2011
it was seen as a move towards more cynical, toyetic releases and the movie
going public feared the worst. With a perceived reliance on sequels and the
recent resurgence in quality from Disney Studios, Pixar’s position as the best
in the CG game was looking shaky; can they turn it around with their newest
offering Inside Out?
Inside Out is about
the emotions in our heads, specifically the emotions in the head of a young
girl, Riley (Kaitlyn Dias). Riley is governed by Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness
(Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black) and Disgust (Mindy
Kaling). The emotions help Riley make decisions, navigating her way from
childhood to adolescence, forming glowing memory marbles along the way. When
Joy and Sadness are cut off from the other emotions they get lost in Riley’s
Long Term Memory. Joy and Sadness must find their way back to Headquarters or
Riley may never be happy again.
Forgive my
pre-amble, I hate talking Pixar down but it must be said, Cars 2 is a Turkey.
Thankfully it looks like it’s going to be consigned to the history pages as a
blip on Pixar’s record because Inside Out is back up there with some of the
studio’s best.
There’s an
inbuilt quality that we’ve come to expect from Pixar and it’s time we stopped
taking that for granted and appreciated the artistry they produce. The
animation on Inside Out is gorgeous. The inner and outer worlds are clearly
defined and the mind-machinations are fleshed out in bright, shiny visuals that literally give shape to the abstract.
In terms of
story it’s the most ambitious concept Pixar have attempted so far, but the world
of Inside Out is so beautifully realised you won’t struggle to engage with it.
There’s a lot of detail in the film and it’s a testament to the writing team
(Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley) that it all feels effortless and
natural.
Some have said
the ideas might be too much for very young viewers but I disagree. There are
just as many layers here as there are in the Toy Story movies; younger viewers
can enjoy the jokes and glorious visuals, adults can have their heartstrings
tugged by the truths about letting go of childhood and everyone can shed a tear
when [REDACTED FOR SPOILERS AND MY OWN SANITY BECAUSE I’M STILL NOT OVER IT].
Pete Docter
previously directed Up and with that film’s infamous opening it’s no surprise
that some tears will be jerked here. What’s so special is how that’s balanced
with humour and moments of levity. There are some lovely gags peppered
throughout and Pixar still remain the masters of encorporating cultural
references that everyone will get something out of. The pacing allows for all
of this without ever feeling like it’s dragging you from one emotion to the
other, more letting you experience each one as it guides you through the film.
The voice cast
is unsurprisingly excellent. It reads as a who’s who of Hollywood comedy but
it’s Amy Poehler’s Joy and Phyllis Smith’s Sadness that lead the charge.
Poehler and Smith make a great mis-matched pairing and, whilst neither of them
are covering ground they haven’t already broached in other projects, they fit
perfectly into the world.
The seeming
refusal to end on an unequivocally happy note is an indication of how
sophisticated this storytelling is. The acceptance and understanding that all emotions
are valid and that we need to embrace the whole spectrum of our complex inner
lives is one of the most profound take-aways I’ve seen in a film in a long
time, let alone in one aimed at children.
I can’t think of
anyone else that could have made Inside Out. It’s the perfect marriage of
technical skill, adventurous writing and spot on performances that earned Pixar
their reputation as the best in the business. Sweet, poignant and fun, Inside
Out is a joy.
Inside Out is on general UK release on Friday 24th July.
That's all from me for today.
Goodbye till next time :-)
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