Inside Out 2
Pixar is back, Jack (and Jill)!
Seemingly on a downward spiral after such lackluster efforts as Luca and Elemental, the legendary animation studio returns to form by revisiting one of its greatest hits with Inside Out 2.
Though most Pixar sequels these days aren’t helmed by their predecessors’ directors, it’s nevertheless impressive that another meticulously crafted, emotionally rich, and wholly complementary experience can arise from new voices.
The successful filmmaker here is Kelsey Mann, making her feature directorial debut in the service of a witty and wise script by Inside Out co-writer Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein (Kidding) that finds young protagonist Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman) experiencing the onset of puberty.
Quickly falling into the prior film’s comic groove as we return within Riley’s brain, Inside Out 2 establishes our girl’s strong sense of self and, in a tremendous bit of foreshadowing, reveals that happiness has been maintained by lead emotion Joy (Amy Poehler) diligently banishing all bad memories to the far reaches of their interior territory. What could possibly go wrong?
We find out soon enough as, right on the cusp of a big hockey opportunity for Riley, adolescence sets in, and with it comes new emotions Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos). Suddenly, the control room is very crowded, and though the new power structure is a bit ill defined, Anxiety clearly has the upper hand and banishes the old guard to a vault of repressed memories.
The new boss’ plan to forge a fresh identity for Riley founded on being liked by any means necessary doesn't exactly bode well, but no one is around to stop Anxiety, and her crew only exacerbates the condensed coming-of-age woes. Faced with another long trek, this time with Disgust (Liza Lapira), Fear (Tony Hale), and Anger (Lewis Black) in tow, experienced adventurers Joy and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) strive to get back in time to stop this menace. And while most viewers can probably guess where the plot is heading, the semi-predictability doesn't diminish the journey.
If anything, the storytelling clarity enhances the impact, brilliantly conveying relatable emotions and situations that practically everyone experiences growing up, augmented by hilarious representations of sarcasm, ideas, inspiration, and other internal affairs. New additions abound, and though none are as powerful as Inside Out imaginary friend Bing Bong, forgotten TV show sidekick Pouchy (James Austin Johnson, SNL) comes close — albeit on a wholly comedic level.
The filmmakers’ sustained command of this winning tone builds and builds to some well-earned tears in the climax, and further proves that Pixar sequels can be just as rich (if not more so) than their standalone original stories.
What the future holds for Riley and her driving forces remains to be seen. But if thoughtful caretakers like Mann keep adding chapters as fulfilling as Inside Out 2, regular check-ins will be most welcome.
Grade: A-minus. Rated PG. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Carolina Cinemark, and Regal Biltmore Grande.
(Photo: Disney/Pixar)
