Inside Out 2 2024

 “You're right, we don't get to choose who Riley is.”


“Joy… Riley wants you.”

“Every bit of Riley makes her who she is, and we love all of our girl. Every messy, beautiful piece of her.”

Control, we so often think we have it. We think it is in our grasp, however more often than not it escapes us, vanishing into the ever present taunt of failure. Though, what if we learn to let go? What if we allow life to play out as it will? Inside Out 2 in short is a delightful kick in the proverbial pants. A reminder to stop fixating on the future and appreciate the present. This current moment is our reality, it is where we belong. If we forget that we forget to live, and appreciate the people and places that surround us.
It is interesting that a film about embodied emotions ultimately brings us to the realization that our emotions do not control us. We are the ones that regulate them. “Regulate” is the important word here. I do not want you to think that Pixar has diluted the charm, and inventiveness of their insightful exploration of the inner life. Rest assured all the heartfelt emotions are here, from joy to anger to anxiety, the teenage experience is well represented. Though unlike before, they must come to realize that they are part of a whole. A very particular part to be sure, but a part nonetheless. Riley determines their actions, she calls them when needed and allows them to exit the stage when they are not.
Inside Out 2 is a joy filled, anxiety laden (in the best way possible) exploration of becoming a teen, and all the emotions that come along with that. Riley's journey of self-discovery allows the animators over at Pixar to shine, showing us yet again why they are some of the best storytellers in the business. Director Kelsey Mann, and his team call to mind the travails of youth with delight and insight. They ask us the question: what is control, and how do we let it go? We can't control what has not happened yet, but we can learn to appreciate the things that are happening now.

Rated PG for some thematic elements.

I found Inside Out 2 to be delightfully entertaining, meaningful, emotionally engaging and thought-provoking. I hope in some way you do too.



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