Ratings: 3.5/5
“Inside Out 2” is a captivating and unsettling visual portrayal of intense emotional upheaval that profoundly impacts both the audience and the film itself. Pixar once again showcases its exceptional ability to transform concepts into compelling stories, earning the movie a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Plot
Directed by Kelsey Mann, “Inside Out 2” is a heartfelt animated film exploring themes of individuality and belonging during the turbulent years of teenage girlhood. The sequel opens with Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) confident in her ability to manage Riley’s emotions effectively.
With help from her usual team—Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira)—she ensures that Riley’s worst memories are stored in a remote area called the ‘back of the mind’ while the best memories are placed in an underground lake, with glowing tendrils that reach towards the sky, forming Riley’s core beliefs.
Review
Set a year after the first movie, Riley is now thirteen and about to start high school. Her emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust—have created a new section in her mind called her Sense of Self, which houses the memories and emotions that shape her core personality. Riley heads to hockey camp to prepare for a tryout with her desired school team, the Fire Hawks. The night before she leaves, the emotion console triggers a “Puberty” alarm. After disabling the alarm, a group arrives at headquarters to upgrade the console, causing chaos in the process. They warn the emotions that “the others” are coming.
Joy’s attempts to console Anxiety lead to a temporary respite, but Riley’s subsequent panic and Anxiety’s stormy reaction disrupt the console further. Joy realizes the impact of Anxiety’s memory-dumping tool on Riley’s breakdown and decides to allow a new, more complex Sense of Self to develop. Riley reconciles with her friends Bree and Grace and continues her journey.
As the new school year begins, Riley makes a new friend, Val, and awaits news about her placement on the Fire Hawks team. She maintains her friendships with Bree and Grace. The two generations of emotions make peace and coexist, safeguarding Riley’s evolving Sense of Self. The movie concludes with Riley receiving an email from her coach, leaving her visibly delighted with its contents.
