Inside Out Review

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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