I watched Inside Out 2 and I really liked it! 4/5
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Review: Inside Out 2 (2024) – 4/5
Inside Out 2 is an ambitious and heartfelt sequel that expands on the emotional landscape of adolescence with humor, poignancy, and the visual creativity we’ve come to expect from Pixar. While it doesn’t quite match the groundbreaking brilliance of the original, it’s a worthy follow-up that explores new territory with intelligence and charm.
Set two years after the first film, Riley is now 13 and navigating the chaos of high school, friendships, and a hockey camp that sets the stage for self-discovery. Her emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger—find themselves joined by new additions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. The result is an expanded and, at times, crowded dynamic as Riley’s inner world contends with the complexities of growing up.
Amy Poehler once again shines as Joy, capturing the character’s boundless optimism while allowing room for vulnerability as she faces the challenges of change. Maya Hawke’s Anxiety is a standout addition, delivering a performance that balances humor and sincerity as she catastrophizes Riley’s every move. The interplay between the old and new emotions adds depth to the story, with Anxiety’s cautious approach clashing with Joy’s relentless positivity. Ayo Edebiri’s Envy and Adèle Exarchopoulos’ Ennui bring their own distinct flair, with Ennui’s sarcastic disinterest becoming a comedic highlight.
The film’s narrative effectively uses Riley’s hockey camp as a metaphor for the pressures of adolescence. Her struggles with fitting in, maintaining old friendships, and finding her identity are depicted with authenticity and relatability. The introduction of the “Sense of Self” as a central plot device is a clever expansion of the original film’s worldbuilding, adding layers to Riley’s emotional journey.
Visually, Inside Out 2 is stunning. Pixar continues to push the boundaries of animation, creating a vibrant and imaginative depiction of Riley’s mind. The “Sense of Self” is a beautifully realized concept, and the chaos caused by Anxiety’s takeover is rendered with breathtaking intensity. The avalanche of memories and the introduction of new brainscapes, like the “Belief System” and “Sarchasm,” are both visually inventive and narratively resonant.
The film’s humor remains sharp, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments for both kids and adults. Tony Hale and Liza Lapira step seamlessly into their roles as Fear and Disgust, bringing fresh energy to the returning characters. The comedic timing of the emotions—both old and new—ensures that even heavier themes are delivered with levity.
However, Inside Out 2 isn’t without its flaws. The inclusion of multiple new emotions occasionally feels overwhelming, with some characters receiving less development than others. Envy and Embarrassment, for instance, are fun but underutilized compared to Anxiety’s more prominent role. The story’s focus on Riley’s external struggles sometimes pulls attention away from the emotional depth within her mind, leading to a narrative that feels slightly less cohesive than its predecessor.
Despite these minor shortcomings, the film delivers a powerful message about the importance of embracing all emotions, both positive and negative. The climax, which sees Riley grappling with a panic attack, is handled with sensitivity and realism, offering an honest portrayal of the challenges of adolescence. The resolution, where Joy and Anxiety collaborate to create a new “Sense of Self” from both good and bad memories, is a poignant reminder that growth often comes from embracing the full spectrum of life’s experiences.
Inside Out 2 is a triumph of creativity and heart. While it doesn’t quite achieve the same emotional impact as the original, it captures the turbulence of teenage years with humor, empathy, and dazzling animation. For fans of the first film, it’s a welcome return to Riley’s mind and a touching exploration of what it means to grow up.