In 2015, Pixar released its 15th feature film, Inside out, which explored the personified emotions of a young girl named Riley. The film was praised by critics and the general public, and ranks as one of Pixar’s best films. Now Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust return to confront new emotions that have entered Riley’s mind as Inside Out 2 is set to enter the 2024 film schedule. Ahead of release, critics have begun sharing their thoughts on the sequel, and it looks like Pixar has another hit on its hands.
Starting off, CinemaBlend’s Inside Out 2 review has our own Sarah El-Mahmoud subsequently giving 4.5 out of 5 stars. He stated that although Inside Out 2 it doesn’t reach the same level of quality as its predecessor, but it does a remarkable job of exploring this new phase of Riley’s life, which sees Anxiety, Envy, Boredom, and Embarrassment set up shop among established emotions.
It’s nice to know that both Inside Out movies can live inside our collective brains rent-free to remind us, if nothing else, of the collective adventures of mixed emotions that are constantly happening in each of our heads.
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman echoed the view that Inside Out 2 are almost as excellent as its predecessor, calling the new sensations “a deliriously fun bunch” and thinking the film might be “the most poignant tale of early teenage conundrums since Eighth grade.”
Inside Out 2 can’t shock us with its incredible imagination like Inside Out did. But the film’s director, Pixar animation veteran Kelsey Mann (making his feature film debut) and screenwriters Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein build on the playful brilliance of the previous film and come as close as we could hope for. that they match her.
Brian Pruitt of USA Today gave Inside Out 2 3.5 out of 4 stars. He said it’s “one of the best revisions” in Pixar’s history because of how well it knows its audience,” though he also noted that the film begins to lose its focus towards the middle of the story.
Who hasn’t felt anxiety exacerbated by joy or a natural connection between sadness and embarrassment? With empathy, hope and a whole lot of metaphor, it’s a mature Inside Out that still understands the wonders and wrinkles of being a kid.
Slashfilm’s Chris Evangelista slightly less impressed Inside Out 2, giving it a score of 7/10. But aside from his criticisms, Evangelista admitted that the sequel hit him for “an emotional loop” and also speculates that the film becomes “a little bit stronger” for younger viewers who “can’t quite articulate why they feel the way they do.”
Inside Out 2 may not reach the emotional highs of the first film, but don’t be surprised if it ends up leaving you sobbing.
After all, Olly Richards from Empire was awarded Inside Out 2 with a 4/5 star rating, stating that while most of the new characters are “a little weak”, they are used for “some top-notch visual comedy” and Anxiety in particular shines as the “misplaced, not-quite-old-man.”
During this decade so far, Pixar’s movies have had great ideas that haven’t lived up to their full potential. This is probably her best film since Coco and the best sequel since Toy Story 3.
These are just some of the opinions circulating about it Inside Out 2, so feel free to look elsewhere to see what other reviewers are saying about the film. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black respectively reprise Joy, Sadness and Anger in the sequel, and Tony Hale and Liza Lapira respectively take over as Fear and Disgust from Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling. Other new voices in the mix include Maya Hawke as Anxiety, Ayo Edebiri as Envy, Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui and Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment. Kelsey Mann directed the film and Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein wrote the screenplay.
You will be able to judge Inside Out 2 for yourself when it opens in theaters this Friday, June 14. Before launching, remember that you can Inside out with your Disney+ subscription.
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