In June 2015, I vividly remember myself at age 11, excited to watch the newest animated movie with my mother in our hometown theatre. Inside Out, released by Pixar Animation Studios, follows Riley Andersen as she navigates her emotions when her family moves from their home in Minnesota to start a new life in San Francisco.
I was filled with similar anticipation this time around. Although I am in a new place, with new friends, and freshly 20 years old, Inside Out 2 had me buzzing with joy. Admittedly, it felt a little silly to be an adult excited to see a Pixar film, but I needed to see the character I knew so well enter the next chapter of her life. In the theatre, I was surrounded by others my age who undoubtedly felt the same.
Inside Out 2 was a fantastic sequel to the first film, continuing the story during Riley’s teenage years. It followed her quest to navigate self-expression, friendship drama, and all the turmoil of being a high school student. It warmed my heart, as it was like seeing myself on screen growing up. Pixar expertly picked up where we left off in 2015, with the returning core memories of Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust, and Fear, while introducing new emotions to Riley’s mind. Ennui, Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Nostalgia bring new manifestations — and conflicts — to the ever-evolving depth of human experience.
The Pixar team once again demonstrated their mastery in production design, bringing a certain poignancy to Inside Out 2, which was my favourite aspect of the film. As I watched the colourful characters galavant around the screen, helping (or hindering) Riley as she dealt with the struggles of high school and fitting in, I considered how digestible the film must make these complex emotions feel for younger viewers. Take ennui for example, the feeling of listlessness arising from a lack of occupation or excitement — in other words, “chronic boredom.” This complex definition of a feeling — and a French term at that — may be hard to understand for a child, but the animation of Ennui’s mannerisms and lack of certain je ne sais quoi made the emotion clear as day.
Further is the use of transitions between scenes as Riley begins to face deeper emotional turmoil. The once colourful and calm atmosphere of her mind’s “headquarters” becomes chaotic and disorganized as she struggles with the worries and concerns embodied by Anxiety, making abstract psychological concepts comprehensible. Due to this, younger viewers may have an easier time empathizing with Riley, finding pieces of themselves within her journey toward self-love and growth.
This is where Pixar tends to shine! Like in Soul (2020), another animated film that is about finding your passions and dealing with the complexity of death, Inside Out 2 excels at making intricate emotions accessible and relatable.
This movie successfully builds on the foundation laid out by its predecessor. While it addresses serious themes, it offers a compelling and resonant story for audiences of all ages. With its focus primarily on mental health, it is heartwarming to see a big-box animation studio encourage viewers to seek out help and support — a vital message to those that may be struggling.
What makes Inside Out 2 a must-see film this summer is how it speaks to the inner child within all of us. Although the character design and animation style is bright, colourful, and enchanting to younger viewers, the film also manages to resonate with adults who have wrestled with the complex emotional experiences depicted.
Watching this film as an adult is extremely validating because not only does it acknowledge the complexity of emotions we may face — regardless of age — it serves as a reminder that they are a universal and natural part of being human. I know I speak for myself and many others that had the privilege to see this film when I say I was able to reconnect with my inner child and think critically about my ongoing journey of self-discovery.
Gianna Dinwoodie is currently working towards her BA in Political Science and hopes to pursue a minor in Journalism. When she is not seen writing mountains of essays for her classes, she enjoys poetry and literature of any sort. Especially of the horror or psychological thriller genre! Don't ask her to watch a horror movie though, she'll probably cry...
