Inside Out Review
Pixar’s 15th feature film does not let down the fans providing the same slick production that a whole generation has now been spoilt with, allowing us to almost forget that this kind of sharp, bright and imaginative animation wasn’t always the norm. Although not quite reaching the eye squirting effects of ‘Up’ or ‘Toy Story’, returning Pixar directors/writers Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen, have again brought a coming of age story into a new realm.
Set inside the head of 11-year-old Riley, who up until now has had an apparently flawless life, is about to take a step into the real world of emotional turmoil as her parents uproot the family from Minnesota and move to San Fransisco. As we see inside her head, known as ‘mission control’, her emotions Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust have a lot to deal with right now.
Joy is used to being the leader, and why not? Who doesn’t want to be happy all the time, right? As Riley struggles with her new life, her emotions are knocked out of kilter, right out into her long-term memory leaving Anger, Fear and Disgust in the Riley driving seat. While they clumsily try and run Riley’s life, Joy and Sadness must clamber around her mind to find their way back to mission control.
Inside out is a packed story that contrasts excellently between the real world and Riley’s, mind, which is full of wonderful discoveries like ‘Dream Productions’ and ‘Imagination Land’. An excellent screenplay allows for fast paced action and quick character development enabling us to feel all the right emotions at the right time. There’s also plenty of laughs to get you relaxed and settled into this joyous animated experience.
Complementing the fantastic visuals are an equally accolade worthy cast. Amy Poehler lends her upbeat comedic credentials to bring Joy to life and teams up perfectly with Phyllis Smith as the wonderfully melancholy and adorable Sadness. Mindy Kaling is tongue in cheek with her ‘omg like whatever’ style as Disgust, while Bill Hader gives Fear his cowardly manic persona allowing for plenty of laughs which he shares with Lewis Black as the furious Anger! Finally, we loved Richard Kind as the loveable free spirit that was Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong. We all need a Bing Bong in our lives from time to time.
Inside Out is a generation-spanning film that’ll see you get in touch with your own emotions as much as you do with Riley’s.
Inside out is on at NZ Cinemas from 25 June.
Reviewed by Ingrid Grenar
Our youngest KUWNZ reviewer Caleb Prince (15) also saw the film and had this to say,
“I was jumping for joy to see Pixar’s 15th feature ‘Inside Out’. It’s a vibrant, witty film, full of amazingly detailed animations that will touch you with their truthfulness while carefully ensuring not to overwhelm the very simplicity of the story. This is Pixar at its finest and a film that kids will absolutely love and learn from, but perhaps not as much as their parents.”
