Inside Out

Now we have come to one of Pixar’s finest piece of cinematic works ever, “Inside Out,” released in 2015. The basic story is an 11-year-old girl battles with the arguing emotions inside of her. Doesn’t a psychiatrist help out with that? However, Pixar’s 15^th film is another touchdown, a film that needs to be watched because the notch is put at what animation can do and proves that live action can’t touch the paintings it makes in film. Peter Travers said in his review, “Oh, did I say it was funny? It is, uproariously so, when you're not brushing away a tear.”

Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) is unhappy that her dad (Kyle MacLachlan) and mom (Diane Lane) have moved to San Francisco (painted in dull browns) from bright, snowy Minnesota, where she loved playing hockey with her best friends.

It’s a frightening new school and no friends, except for her emotions: Joy, voiced perfectly by Amy Poehler, used to be in charge. Now she’s on a mission with Sadness, voiced by Phyllis Smith channeling all the emotional weight, to retrieve Riley’s happiest memories. This leaves Fear (comedian Bill Hader), Disgust (star of “The Mindy Project,” Mindy Kaling) and Anger (Lewis Black, the right choice) in charge of Riley’s emotions. Now we know why adolescent teens act the way they do.

Travers noted, “The idea has been tried — remember TV's Herman's Head? — but never with the artful brilliance of filmmaker Pete Docter (Up; Monsters, Inc.).” Docter channels our emotions as well as Riley’s. We all hear our thoughts – no, not the kind that you bottle up. As shown by Docter, co-director Ronnie Del Carmen and co-writers Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley, “Inside Out” isn’t really a story of emotions fighting as it is emotions trying to settle peace, set to Michael Giacchino’s wonderful, mood-jumping music.

Travers advised, “Too sophisticated? Maybe so when the film takes us to the dark subconscious, "where troublemakers go." Kids will probably roll with the abstract punches thrown by this burst of pure imagination. Parents and adults will likely be traumatized. You've been warned.”

We also have Richard Kind, who you might remember from “Spin City” and “Mad About You,” voicing Riley’s old imaginary friend, Bing-Bong (no, I did not make that up).

Much like how I stated yesterday, this movie came the closest to “Finding Nemo” in being the best Pixar movie ever. The reason why is because of how the emotions are shown fighting in here. We have never seen Pixar dab inside a child’s mind before until now, and seeing how they have finally done it, they really nailed it. Especially since we were all 11 at one point, so we know exactly how that age is. As much as we don’t want to remember that age, we do. Riley perfectly embodies how an 11-year-old acts, and it would be really nice if they made a sequel to this. I would like to know if they’re going to since I would be curious that what other emotions would come into Riley and start fighting with her, making it more difficult to get through her teen years, but seeing how she is a strong child, she’ll be able to do it.

Definitely see this film if you haven’t. This is another one of my favorite Pixar films. This belongs in the top 5 best Pixar films list. I cannot do this film justice by reviewing it. You just have to see it to know how amazing it is. Like I stated already, it’s not as good as “Finding Nemo,” but that’s a tough act to beat. However, it came the closest than any other Pixar movie. Stop reading this review and go out and see it, I promise you’ll love it.

Check in on Thursday where I review a film that wasn’t as good as expected, but not horrible by any means. The film is still a good film for everyone to see and is a lovable film for children. You might say it will be a defensive review, which it will be in a way, but it will be nice to look at in “Disney’s Pixar Month.”