{"id":1552,"date":"2024-06-20T15:15:50","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T15:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nancyepton.co.uk\/?p=1552"},"modified":"2024-06-20T15:15:50","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T15:15:50","slug":"review-inside-out-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nancyepton.co.uk\/?p=1552","title":{"rendered":"Review: Inside Out 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I haven\u2019t been a fan of Pixar for a while. Part of that\u2019s inevitably because I\u2019ve just grown out of the age range they\u2019re aiming at, but it\u2019s also because of a lack of originality. There\u2019s been too much reliance on nostalgia with sequels like The Incredibles 2<\/em> and Finding Dory<\/em>, and the studio doesn\u2019t even seem invested in its own worth when it decides to plonk entries like Luca<\/em> straight onto Disney+ before letting them bask in the big screen sun. The fact that the company recently dropped 175 of its employees in the biggest remodel in Pixar history isn\u2019t a great sign either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Inside Out<\/em> was definitely one of the last Pixar films which I watched and genuinely enjoyed. There was a novel concept, engaging characters and a strong emotional core. Can the same be said of the sequel? Largely, yeah. We lose the sense of novelty since we\u2019re already aware of how things work; anthropomorphised emotions are at the helm of people\u2019s minds, controlling their reactions and trying to steer them in the appropriate direction. But the basic idea\u2019s still decent. Riley\u2019s reached adolescence, so it\u2019s time for some new emotions to take centre stage. Enter colourful characters like Anxiety, Embarrassment and Ennui, plus some high-quality voice acting to boot. As Riley\u2019s experience at hockey camp becomes increasingly stressful, the old and new emotions start to come into conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The animators have left plenty of room for creative existential scenarios. When I think of the stream of consciousness, I mostly get minor flashbacks to reading the chunky tome of zero full stops that is James Joyce\u2019s Ulysses, but the creators go slightly more low brow here, with a literal stream filled with the individual\u2019s actual thoughts. Broccoli is definitely my family vegetable (if family vegetables were a thing, which they\u2019re not; basically we used to have broccoli with most meals in the evening), but riding one in my subconscious might be intriguing. I know that\u2019s not what\u2019s going on here, but…anyway. The additions of sarcasm and brainstorm are also a lot of fun too. You\u2019ll understand when you see \u2018em, anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The emotional crescendo hits hard and leads to a satisfying ending. Less satisfying when you consider that Pixar seem to be banking on sequels more these days (Pixar director Pete Doctor recently discussed a not-so-wise move towards sequels and relatability rather than originality in future efforts). I guess there\u2019s some potential there? You could explore post-teen Riley in the cost-of-living crisis (I know Inside Out<\/em> and Pixar are American, but, uh, roll with it), midlife crisis Riley, maybe elderly old people\u2019s home Riley. But yeah, holding onto the thin hope that Pixar stop milking this particular cash cow, Inside Out 2<\/em> was a pretty joyful time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I haven\u2019t been a fan of Pixar for a while. Part of that\u2019s inevitably because I\u2019ve just grown out of the age range they\u2019re aiming at, but it\u2019s also because of a lack of originality. There\u2019s been too much reliance on nostalgia with sequels like The Incredibles 2 and Finding Dory, and the studio doesn\u2019t even seem invested … <\/p>\n

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