Inside Out 2 Will Restore Your Faith in Pixar
In the wake of pandemic-related setbacks, Pixar has faced an existential crisis.
With movie-going behavior fundamentally changing, even people within the company have wondered about Pixar’s future.
![Anger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dlr-pixar-fest-anger-1536x864-1.jpg)
![Anger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dlr-pixar-fest-anger-1536x864-1.jpg)
Disney
These employees have asked, “Who are we?”
With the release of Inside Out 2, life has imitated art, as a beloved character named Riley struggles with identity issues.
![Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-04-at-14-58-49-Inside-Out-2-Final-Trailer.png)
![Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-04-at-14-58-49-Inside-Out-2-Final-Trailer.png)
Teenage Riley in ‘Inside Out 2’
This is her story as told by the voices, well, emotions in her head, but it’s also a clarion call from fans.
We wanted the old Pixar back, and we just got it in spades.
![Pixar Logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixar_Logo_Design_History_Evolution_0_1024x1024.png.webp)
![Pixar Logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixar_Logo_Design_History_Evolution_0_1024x1024.png.webp)
Pixar Logo
Fellow Disney fans, I am pleased and relieved to tell you that Inside Out 2 is an instant classic.
Catching up with Friends
![Joy Meet and Greet Hollywood Studios Pixar Plaza Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Joy-Meet-and-Greet-Hollywood-Studios-Pixar-Plaza-Inside-Out-2-16.jpg)
![Joy Meet and Greet Hollywood Studios Pixar Plaza Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Joy-Meet-and-Greet-Hollywood-Studios-Pixar-Plaza-Inside-Out-2-16.jpg)
Joy
The film starts with a quick reminder of why fans revered Inside Out…and make no mistake on the point.
In terms of recent Pixar titles, Inside Out’s resume stacks up with the best of the best.
Fans instantly connected with the idea of how kids process emotions because we’ve all lived through it.
During the first story, Riley listened to five emotions: Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Fear, and Joy.
![The emotions discover the Puberty button in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2pubertybutton-scaled.jpeg)
![The emotions discover the Puberty button in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2pubertybutton-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
As the de facto leader of the group, Joy helms the control panel that guides Riley through life.
At least, she had. This story quickly introduces several new emotions because Riley has hit puberty.
![Joy and Sadness appreciate Riley's progress in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2charactercore-scaled.jpeg)
![Joy and Sadness appreciate Riley's progress in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2charactercore-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
In the process, these new emotions have arisen, and the fit isn’t ideal between them and the old guard.
Joy watches in horror as Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Envy display their various mannerisms.
![Embarrassment has had enough in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2wellthisisawkward-scaled.jpeg)
![Embarrassment has had enough in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2wellthisisawkward-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
Thus, a recurring theme arises, and it’s a profound one without an explicit answer.
Does the human condition require us to feel less joy as we mature?
![Riley is officially a teenager in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2birthday.jpg)
![Riley is officially a teenager in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2birthday.jpg)
Image: Pixar
To Pixar’s credit, Inside Out 2 doesn’t run from this decidedly adult premise.
Instead, the story directly addresses this challenging concept without needing to answer it definitively.
![Anxiety's cartoonish but dangerous in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2anxietyposter.jpeg)
![Anxiety's cartoonish but dangerous in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2anxietyposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
The best Pixar films are philosophical in nature, even as they deliver countless big laughs.
That’s true of Inside Out 2 as well, with the story repeatedly putting a smile on my face.
![Anxiety is about to make some mistakes in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2thewrongemotions-scaled.jpeg)
![Anxiety is about to make some mistakes in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2thewrongemotions-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
This film isn’t as aggressively humorous as something like the Toy Story franchise, but it takes a measured approach to comedy.
Director Kelsey Mann innately understands where the humor lies in what is really a story about sense of self.
The Big Ideas of Inside Out 2
![I love that they provide the definition for Ennui's Inside Out 2 poster.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2ennuiposter.jpeg)
![I love that they provide the definition for Ennui's Inside Out 2 poster.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2ennuiposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
The core concept of Inside Out 2 centers on Riley’s recently turning 13 years old.
By this point, the teenager already knows who she is and what she stands for in life…right up until she doesn’t.
![Embarrassment takes the wheel in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2embarrassment-scaled.jpeg)
![Embarrassment takes the wheel in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2embarrassment-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
We all remember those countless times when we felt pressure to fit in.
Few of us are fortunate enough to say that we handled most of those situations with grace.
![The main poster for Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2poster.jpeg)
![The main poster for Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2poster.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
Riley proves no different in this regard. A couple of life-altering changes occur, and they shake the foundation of who she is.
Suddenly, the identity she had spent her life developing falls asunder, leaving her struggling to decide who she will be.
![Joy and Anxiety's fragile relationship summarized in one image in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2joymeetsanxiety-scaled.jpeg)
![Joy and Anxiety's fragile relationship summarized in one image in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2joymeetsanxiety-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
As you might imagine, that’s where Anxiety becomes a factor as well as other emotions like Embarrassment.
Teen years are like a minefield of potential missteps, each of which causes us to worry about humiliating ourselves.
![Anxiety really wants to push that button in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2dontpushthat.jpg)
![Anxiety really wants to push that button in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2dontpushthat.jpg)
Image: Pixar
Since most of the people reading this are adults, you’ve survived that rite of passage and come out the other side.
You still remember the pain and stigma, though. It never truly goes away, and that makes Inside Out 2 uncomfortable at times.
![Embarrassment needs a hoodie big enough to cover his nose in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2embarrassmentposter.jpeg)
![Embarrassment needs a hoodie big enough to cover his nose in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2embarrassmentposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
Your heart may hurt as you watch Riley make some of the mistakes we all did in similar situations.
At times, she pretends to like things she doesn’t, refuses to correct personal details due to peer pressure, and just generally fails.
![Envy has stars in her eyes in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2envy.jpeg)
![Envy has stars in her eyes in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2envy.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
I admire Pixar for not shying away from such behavior. It makes Riley all the more admirable and relatable.
That’s the vital part of the story as well. Inside Out 2 leans into the fact that we all screw up huge throughout our lives.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2sadnessposter.jpeg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2sadnessposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
How we handle these mistakes and how transparently we remember them proves foundational to the plot.
I realize these are big concepts, but that’s what Pixar should be.
The Joy of Inside Out 2
Somehow, Pixar has created a story that is equal parts inspirational and aspirational.
Parents will watch this film and worry less about their children. I say this because the story celebrates Riley’s imperfections.
![Disgust hasn't changed any for Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2disgustposter.jpeg)
![Disgust hasn't changed any for Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2disgustposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
The underlying message is as simple as Pixar stories get. “It’s okay. You’ll be okay.”
To reach that point, we watch as exactly the wrong emotions run roughshod over Riley, driving her into a downward spiral of stupid.
![Fear hasn't gotten any braver in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2fearposter.jpeg)
![Fear hasn't gotten any braver in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2fearposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
Making such mistakes is how we learn, though. There’s a fearless confidence on display as Pixar shows that we come out stronger on the other side.
Ultimately, all our emotions find a way to resolve in a manner that helps us learn and grow.
![Which Inside Out 2 character do we all relate to the most? Well...](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2angerposter.jpeg)
![Which Inside Out 2 character do we all relate to the most? Well...](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2angerposter.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
I’m discussing deep concepts here, but you should take comfort in knowing that Inside Out 2 is exactly what it’s presented as being.
You’re watching Pixar’s exploration of the maturation process as told with slapstick, over-the-top characters.
![Anxiety introduces herself in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2anxietysayshi-scaled.jpeg)
![Anxiety introduces herself in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2anxietysayshi-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
Hidden within this humor is a gentle message about believing in yourself and finding and augmenting your core values everywhere in life.
Inside Out 2 manages this while still using Anger and Embarrassment perfectly for comic relief.
![The emotions meet Anxiety for the first time in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2anxietydebuts-scaled.jpeg)
![The emotions meet Anxiety for the first time in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2anxietydebuts-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
Anxiety starts with a similar level of comedy, but the character methodically develops until the story makes clear its point.
On some level, we know that we shouldn’t let our anxiety control us, but…it’s just not something that’s up to us at times.
![Nostalgia Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-04-at-14-59-16-Inside-Out-2-Final-Trailer.png)
![Nostalgia Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-04-at-14-59-16-Inside-Out-2-Final-Trailer.png)
Nostalgia in ‘Inside Out 2’. Photo: Pixar
The demonstration of an anxiety attack feels perfectly timed in a society that has only recently gotten serious about mental health.
You’ll definitely laugh during this film – and I mean A LOT – but you also may cry, too. And that’s okay! In fact, it’s encouraged.
Final Thoughts
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-4.jpg)
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-4.jpg)
Photo: Disney
The original Inside Out didn’t move me as much as some other Pixar films have.
While I greatly admired the story and adored the characters, especially the emotions, I haven’t rewatched it much.
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-3.jpg)
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-3.jpg)
Photo: Disney
I’ve seen most Pixar titles at least five times and some like Ratatouille, Up, and WALL-E more than I can count.
I can tell you right now that Inside Out 2 will fall into that bucket.
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-1.jpg)
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney
As I left the theater, I was lost in admiration for the achievement.
While critics assailed Pixar and openly wondered whether the studio had lost its touch, the studio defiantly put together its most helpful film to date.
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-2.jpg)
![Inside Out 2 Trailer New Emotions](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Inside-Out-2-Trailer-New-Emotions-2.jpg)
Photo: Disney
You can show Inside Out 2 to anyone who is struggling. They’ll feel less alone and more seen.
This isn’t a movie inasmuch as it’s a gift to society. I’m in awe of it.
![Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-09-12-07-Inside-Out-2-Teaser-Trailer.png)
![Inside Out 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-09-12-07-Inside-Out-2-Teaser-Trailer.png)
Photo: Pixar
Inside Out 2 is the leader in the clubhouse to be the best movie I watch in 2024.
You owe it to yourself to see this one immediately. It’ll heal you.
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