Inside Out 2 Is A Love Letter To Growing Up

Nearly a decade after the original film’s release, Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2 hit the big-screen on June 14..

Audiences have been eagerly awaiting its arrival since the sequel was announced at the D23 Expo in September of 2022. It has exceeded expectations and is a heartfelt exploration of growing up that will resonate with audiences of all ages. 

The film follows the main character, Riley, as she enters high school and navigates being a teenager. Core emotions from the first movie, Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust and Fear, are back and joined by new faces, adding new challenges to the complexities of being a teenager. 

The movie’s visuals are impeccable. They feature vibrant, detailed animations that give a creative tangibility to abstract emotions and the voice cast brought a dynamic energy that brought them to life. 

Combined, the visuals and sound seamlessly integrate returning actors and themes from the first film and new additions to portray new emotions, such as Envy, Embarrassment, Ennui and Anxiety. 

So many films have tried and failed to explain the complexity of adolescence and teenagehood, but Pixar hones in on the details that encapsulate some of the most intense emotions of those years, making the movie one of the few that have succeeded. 

Its portrayal of an anxiety attack is the real showstopper. The concept and feeling of an anxiety attack is so complex, even to those who intimately understand it. Still, the movie’s portrayal is a sensitive and tangible display of an abstract and scary feeling.

During the scene, colors grow more intense, a cacophony of voices, escalating music, and an ever-growing loud heartbeat overwhelm the screen and audience as the control center spirals out of control. It’s a raw and honest depiction that will resonate with anyone who has experienced that feeling.

The whole theater’s vibe shifts with the emotions of the film. Like most Pixar movies, Inside Out 2 is filled with flawless comedic timing and hilarious moments that magically blend with the movie’s deeper themes and serious moments.

No matter your age, this movie will resonate because growing up is a never-ending process filled with overwhelming complexities. Pixar’s Inside Out 2 reminds us that at a time when people feel the need to be perfect at all times, our mistakes and flaws are essential to who we are, and accepting that is an important part of maturing and finding yourself.