Emotional Roller Coaster

Inside Out

For a little more than twenty years now, Pixar Studios have been creating some of the most memorable shorts and feature films that have graced the silver screen. When they partnered up with Walt Disney Pictures, the magic really began to soar. Starting with Toy Story, Pixar and Disney have given audiences a human trapped in a monster world, a lucky fin, and a Parisian rat that can cook; all of which have touched our hearts with sadness, excitement, and pure joy. This year Pixar has taken those emotions and decided to give them a voice with their newest film, Inside Out.

Riley is a very happy eleven year old child. She has a great family, wonderful friends, and an overall outstanding, albeit short, life. However, all of that changes when Riley is forced to move from her Minnesota home to a new one in San Francisco. Though, this story isn’t about Riley but the emotions that are inside her head. So when emotions Joy and Sadness are lost within Riley’s memories, they must band together and find a way back to ‘headquarters’ to bring balance back to the once vibrant Riley.

This has to be the most innovative idea that Pixar has ever come up with. This movie is brilliant on so many levels that it is quite hard to put into words. Inside Out has everything that makes the Pixar classics, just that…classic. The voice acting is wonderful and the story is one that we all, adult and child alike, can all learn from. I loved this movie and I would go see it again in a heartbeat!

I am still mind boggled on how Pixar does it. This studio is able to match the perfect voice to each character. Ellen DeGeneres/Dory, John Goodman/Sully, Tim Allen/Buzz Lightyear…the list goes on and on. The voice acting within Inside Out is just as excellent. As I would love to sit here and explain why every one of these actors were amazing, I am going to single just a few out. First, Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) as Joy is so charismatic and uplifting, yet complex. Poehler subtly projects Joy as an adult-like character in the mind of this sweet young girl. Also the constant positive spin in Poehler’s voice has to be hard with just her voice. Joy’s travel-mate, Sadness is played by Phyllis Smith (The Office), whom is ironically one of the most charming characters in this movie. Smith is able to find the humor in her dreary lines and somehow make Sadness an interesting character. Lastly, there is Anger played by the awesome Lewis Black. Most notable for his stand-up comedy (which can be very angry), Black is blessed with most of the best lines. Black finds the sarcasm and the quick wit that he is able to deliver on stage and project it into a PG version of himself.

Long time Pixar animator and director, Pete Doctor (Monsters, Inc.) provides yet another animated masterpiece. Doctor has done astonishing work in the past with mixing the emotional side and the laughter to every one of his films. I mean, I don’t know about you but the beginning to UP was brutal. Thank goodness Doctor does not start this movie on a downer, but Doctor stays true to himself with a fresh way of dealing with what goes on inside our heads while give us a wonderful mixture of happiness and tears.

Well, Pixar has done it again. They have produced a movie that adults and children can enjoy and will become a staple among family movies for years to come. Not only was this film entertaining, but Pixar and Pete Doctor was able to create a children’s movie with tremendous depth. Inside Out gives us a glimpse into how to manage our emotions and how important each one of them is to our daily life. When we express these emotions in a healthy way, we become a more rounded and whole person. I absolutely adored this film and I think that it is safe to say that has become my favorite Pixar movie… sorry Nemo, you got bumped.

The Verdict: See In Theatres!