Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Animation Studios that almost always with each film they make, deliver to its audience some delights, whilst also on more than a few occasions, will have them wiping away tears. Over the years the studio has forged a reputation as one of the best in the business at making animated movies that are a delight for both kids and adults to enjoy. And very few films hit these notes, as beautifully, and as thought provokingly as Inside Out. 

The film tells the story of Riley, and the five little emotions that work away all day controlling her actions, thoughts and unsurprisingly her emotions. These emotions find themselves in turmoil when Riley and her folks are forced to move from Minnesota to San Francisco. The adverse effect this has on Riley, and consequently her emotions, makes for some entertaining dialogue and a really enjoyable film to watch. Above all, this is what makes this movie, extremely heartfelt, and quite simply a work of utter genius.

As human beings, we all experience emotions at various points in our lives. Whether we lose someone we love, get a job, get married, start our own families etc., these emotions are what make us human. We as humans have our good times, and the not-so-good moments. And though we do have more than just 5 solitary emotions, to have had more than 5 would have just felt like overkill. Perhaps a sequel one day will develop this further and utilise other emotions?

Anyway, for sure there are some moments in the film in which some of the characters, experience some heart-breaking realisations, two characters in particular. The voice work from everyone is tremendous but the five emotions especially Joy (Amy Poehler) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) steal the show, but the others like Fear (Bill Hader), Disgust(Mindy Kaling), and last but not least Anger (Lewis Black) all have their moments to shine, and make you laugh.

The film is above all a realisation that in those moments in life where we’re down in the dumps and need someone to talk to, and no matter who you are, we have all had these moments. These messages will resonate with all who watch this movie. As no matter who we are, we’ve all had those times where we have been down in the dumps, and we just had to let the emotions out, and this film reminds you that sometimes that’s okay, because that’s part of being human.

This is what makes Inside Out above all a feel good film, though the film does have moments that feels like it’s ripping your heart right out of your chest. It’s well balanced by some truly brilliant humour, as well as the usual abundance of jokes that are aimed at the adults that will sail over the heads of the younger viewers. There’s a fun adventure to be had, that the kids will enjoy watching, but there’s so much more to this film than that.

I believe that Inside Out is one of those rare movies of the animated variety that are really aimed at the adults. It has themes and messages that will resonate more with the adults than with children, especially for any adults who have had children. You may laugh, and you will almost certainly cry, but that’s life in a nutshell, and once the credits begin to roll, you will find it hard not to have a massive smile on your face, not least because the credits themselves are ridiculously entertaining!

Read more from @ThrSilverScreen on his marvellous blog: throughthesilverscreen.com!

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