Review - Inside Out

Inside Out (2015), PG, 94 minutes - In my mind, a new release from Pixar is about as much of a 'must see' as a film can be. It may have taken me a month to work it into my schedule, but I was finally able to see it last weekend.

Inside Out continues Pixar's tradition of strong animated films that are oftentimes deeper and more emotional than they may appear on the surface. In it, a young girl named Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) is uprooted from the only home she has ever known (rural Minnesota) and transplanted to the big city (San Francisco) compliments of her father's job. As Riley adjusts to life in a new home, school, and city, her emotions (Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness) clash with each other as they try to help her navigate the many changes she faces. It's no walk in the park though, as these changes put Riley's emotions in new and unfamiliar territory as well.

The story is heartfelt and the humanoid emotions are by far the biggest stars of the film - Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling). Joy and Sadness rise above the rest as their adventures in solving a problem with Riley's memories are what really drive the story. Other familiar voices are provided by Diane Lane (Mom), Kyle MacLachlan (Dad), and Richard Kind (Bing Bong).

Inside Out puts a really unique and entertaining perspective on a very common life experience. Having gone through a similar move myself (from New Hampshire to Tennessee as a teenager), I felt that Inside Out was very relate-able, but luckily not nearly as emotionally traumatic as either Up or Toy Story 3. If you're looking for a fun, family friendly film this summer, give Inside Out a shot. It's still showing in theaters in my area so there's a good chance it is still showing in other markets as well.

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