Pixar’s newest animated movie, Inside Out, hit theaters on June 19. If packed theaters, quirky animation, and the allure of seeing movies in Imax 3D haven’t convinced you to see this movie, I hope this review does.
Inside Out begins by taking viewers inside the mind of Riley Anderson, following her mental progress as she endures a tough move from Minnesota to San Francisco. In her subconscious mind are five distinct emotions: joy (yellow), sadness (blue), disgust (green), fear (purple) and anger (red), each with a specific job to protect and guide Riley in decision making. Each emotion is ingeniously and symbolically assigned a specific color. Yellow is typically associated with happiness or joy, blue is typically associated with sadness or “feeling blue,” and red is associated with anger. The color is a simple detail that helps get the point across; the details of this movie are what make it so pleasing to watch.
The characters are developed throughout the movie, and each emotion acts like its name…most of the time. Disgust is disgusted by almost everything, Anger has a short temper, and Sadness is, well, sad. The emotions have emotions!
The plot line and concept of Inside Out are clever, and although at times the movie drags on, you can’t help but root for Riley and her emotions. As she experiences various life events, memories are created and depicted as colored orbs in her mind. Core memories are special memories created whenever Riley experiences a milestone or life-changing experience. The core memories relate to the “islands” of personality that make Riley who she is. Her five islands are Family Island, Friendship Island, Hockey Island, Honesty Island and Goofball Island.
The writers of the movie gave insight into Riley’s personality and “islands,” which makes viewers think about what their own mind “islands” are. The different qualities and personality traits make people individuals, and it is important for children and adults who watch the movie to consider what makes them unique.
With clever humor, witty lines, and thought-out (pun intended) characters, Inside Out does not disappoint viewers. Inside Out is being screened at Teaneck Cinemas, Bow Tie Bergenfield Cinemas, Ridgefield Park Luxury Cinemas, Bow Tie Tenafly Cinemas, Edgewater Multiplex Cinemas and AMC Garden State.
By Amanda Leifer
