When Pixar first discussed “Inside Out” at the 2011 D23 Expo, it was still an “untitled movie that takes you inside the mind.” Pete Doctor, the writer and director behind Pixar classics “Up” and “WALL-E”, explained the driving force behind his next movie was the question, “What is going on in people’s heads?”
With “Inside Out” Pixar provides a colorful, imaginative explanation of why we laugh, cry, feel repulsed, freak out and fume, mainly from the mind of a girl named Riley. For 11 years, Riley’s childhood centered on a fun, loving relationship with her parents and her love of hockey in Minnesota. When she’s suddenly uprooted because of her father’s business, she has to adjust to living in San Francisco. Naturally, the changes cause a flurry of mixed emotions. Where Joy was confidently in control, she slowly realizes Fear, Anger, Sadness and Disgust are being called to play bigger roles in Riley’s new life. In an attempt to keep Sadness under control, things go terribly wrong and Joy and Sadness have to learn to work together to help Riley find herself again.
This of course is an oversimplification of the storyline. “Inside Out” is much more complex and, because it’s centered on the brain, quite cerebral. There are many abstract concepts that younger kids may not comprehend, but it may resonate with older kids, and explain a lot to adults who have “tweeners” and pre-teens in their lives. We learn how memories are stored, why we experience déjà vu, how certain jingles get stuck in our head and where our imaginary friends go once we’ve outgrown them.
The actors voicing the emotions were perfectly cast, especially Sadness, who was brought to glum life by Phyllis Smith. Bill Hader was fittingly panicked as Fear and I’m sure Lewis Black’s gift for fits of outrage made casting him as Anger a no-brainer. Voiced by Amy Poehler, “Joy” was essentially an animated Leslie Knope, an upbeat control freak who wanted everyone to be happy. If there’s anything I’d change about the movie it’s giving Disgust more lines because I heart Mindy Kaling.
I do take exception to the TV and radio ads touting “Inside Out” as the best Pixar movie since “UP”. It’s an enjoyable movie, with a unique concept and highly imaginative storytelling, but for pulling heartstrings? I wouldn’t rank it above Toy Story 3. It’s definitely more heartwarming than Brave. As an apology for Cars 2, I will accept it. However, I have to admit, my biggest laughs were the quick looks into other brains at the end of the movie.
As much as I love Pixar movies, I believe their greatest gifts to moviegoers are their heartfelt short films shown prior to the feature film. “Lava” is no exception. I fell absolutely in love with the singing and the emotion conveyed by volcanoes. Volcanoes!? Oh, Pixar.
For animation, emotion and imagination, and because Peter Doctor wrote and directed it, Inside Out rates 4 out of 5 stars. In less experienced hands, I would not be so generous.
