Director: Pete Doctor, Ronaldo Del Carmen

Cast: Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Richard Kind, Kaitlyn Dias

Running Time: 1 hour 42 minutes 

Rating: U

Release Date: 24th July, 2015 

The way we function, our personality traits and those emotions that so often bubble over, often find themselves to be a mere mystery to the humble human being; with professions made out of simply trying to figure them out, stable them and, above all, understand them. Such a mission is not one for the faint hearted, with each emotion taking an important role in our human development; steering childhood, adolescence and continuing through to our adult life. It is with sheer delight then, that one finds all these impossible answers in the bright and shiny world of Disney Pixar‘s latest animated triumph; INSIDE OUT. 

Inside young Riley’s (Kaitlyn Dias) head resides her emotions; Joy (Amy Poehler), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Bill Hader), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). Each emotion pays a key part in the functioning of Riley’s conscious and as a team, they ensure Riley’s core memories continue to feed her mainland’s of feeling, those being Goofball Island, Family Island, Friendship Island, Hockey Island and Honesty Island; each as important as the last. 

Their job is an easy and enjoyable one, until Riley is uprooted from the Midwest to San Francisco where a world of new beginnings and sad endings ensure the emotions have their work cut out for them, as the risk of losing Riley’s stable, happy nature is at an all time high. 

When Joy and Sadness find themselves deserted in the far corners of Riley’s mind, away from their ever important Headquarters, they must navigate their way back to ensure the re-balance of Riley’s emotion’s; before the others unwisely lead her to some isolating and dangerous behaviour. The narrative plot is fairly basic, a lost and found mission, but it totally works in its favour because the real treat lies in the character and stunning imagination of  INSIDE OUT’s details. 

With the basic emotions all round up in suitably cute representations, the voice casting for INSIDE OUT is totally bang on. With PARKS & REC star Amy Poehler taking on Joy, it’s impossible not to feel completely optimistic in her company; leaving one feeling suitably joyous. There’s enough voice recognition to feel at home with these famous voices, but it never defers from settling in with the actual characters. THE OFFICE US star’s Mindy Kaling and Phyllis Smith are made for their characters Disgust and Sadness and THE OFFICE fans will pick up on some pretty ‘Kelly’ and ‘Phyllis’ mannerisms that add for an extra bit of enjoyment. With Bill Hader taking on Fear with a strong sense of comedy and Lewis Black settling in for Anger, the gang of emotions soon feel relatable to its emotionally aware audience and one can quickly find themselves assessing their own mirroring emotions. 

With Pete Doctor (UP, MONSTERS INC) and Ronaldo Del Carmen (BRAVE) taking shared director’s chairs, their vision for the inner workings of Riley’s mind are truly magnificent. Tapping into the honest and innocent mind of an eleven year old girl, Doctor and Del Carmen create a world of visual pleasure and somewhat comforting silliness. With Riley’s memories residing in the vast land of her conscious, they’re kept so magically within small globes of light; each coordinating with whatever emotion they’re associated with. It’s a marvellous way to showcase just how huge and important these small memories can be, while remaining aesthetically pleasing throughout. 

In the extensive separate world of the inner workings of Riley’s mind, audiences are introduced to the most sweet and utterly nuts imaginary friend, Bing Bong (Richard Kind). Part Elephant, some Dolphin, mixed with some cotton-candy, Bing Bong manages to get you right in the feels, as he helps Joy and Sadness trundle their way through the labyrinth of Riley’s long term memory. While this certainly entertains and taps into the inner child of any adult viewing, it runs just that little too long, with just one too many obstacles in their way; leading to restless seat shifting in the smallest amount. 

While the narrative very much focuses on the emotions, there are wonderful glimpses of family life for Riley, her Mum (Diane Lane) and her Dad (Kyle MacLachlan). These short, but sweet glimpses keep audience’s feet on the ground when needs-be; helping to break up the wackiness of Riley’s inner mind. It’s here that we also get a glimpse of Riley’s parents mind, adding an extra pinch of comedy that really hits the mark. Getting a look at how a Father reacts to his Daughter’s tantrums is exceptionally amusing and seeing his Anger losing it feels oddly satisfying. 

It wouldn’t be a Disney Pixar without a lesson to be learnt and rather than pushing Joy in our faces, demanding that all children be happy at all times, it blends Joy with Sadness; demonstrating that there would be no one without the other and that through the darkness comes the light. Alongside that, the strong sense of family and the bonds our own emotions create with their’s leads to some very touching material; no doubt holding hope for a sequel. 

With the animation style dripping with charm and warmth, a wonderfully amusing script and great performances from all involved, Pixar really have hit the nail on the head and delivered a truly emotional film about emotions.  

Verdict

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