‘Inside Out’ is a Loving Masterwork of Pixar Animation

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
Average: 3 (2 votes)
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 5.0/5.0
Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – It starts with the imagination, and the story that comes from that lightning inner creativity. Nobody, it seems, does it better than Pixar Animation, and they are taking it all to a new level. For your consideration, and in a perfect world a candidate for Best Picture, “Inside Out.”

What is striking is the simplicity of the story, imagining the brain as a control center having a switch oriented panel, with personified “controllers” representing Joy, Anger, Fear, Sadness and Disgust. Whoever “controls” the panel controls the emotion of the human – in this case an 11 year old girl going through a life transition. The structure of this vision, presupposing that the brain is made up of colorful “go to” points for mental survival, is nothing short of genius. It works immediately upon introduction, and builds throughout the girl’s state of being until it blooms into a glorious resolution. There are two stories…the heroics of the “controllers” trying to save her psyche, and the girl’s story as the results of those efforts unfold, which includes several poignant setbacks. This, my friends, is must-see for everyone who loves movies that redeem, inspire and especially entertain.

Riley (voice of Kaitlyn Dias) is a generally happy 11-year old girl, content with her parents and a vigorous life in Minnesota. Her brain, controlled from a central panel by the personified states-of-being named Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black) and Disgust (Mindy Kaling). Joy is the main controller, and has her developed points of reference (Family, Wackiness, Friends), the villages built up that keeps Riley on track.

Inside Out
Sadness (center) is flanked by Fear, Disgust, Joy and Anger in ‘Inside Out’
Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios

But when the father (Kyle McLachlan) of Riley’s family decide to move her and her mother (Diane Lane) to San Francisco, Riley’s brain control center gets a wrench thrown into it, as the negative feelings take over. This in turn wrecks the survival villages, the memory banks, and all manner of the brain’s psychic functions, including an old imaginary friend named Bing Bong (Richard Kind). It’s up to Joy to save the day, but how?

How is the journey of the story, and it’s one delight after another. The use of the old imaginary friend, for example, is just a magnificent way to illustrate how we as humans discard the perceptions of childhood eventually, but it is those very “made-up” concepts that make up who we are. Bing Bong’s inevitability is our own lives played out in the film’s festival of truth.

Selecting the right voices for the “controllers” is part of the genius of “Inside Out,” and for once it becomes appropriate to use celebrity voices over cartoon voice experts. Amy Poehler is perfect as Joy, especially how she reflects off the other emotions – she constantly tries to rally Sadness, played with élan by Phyllis Smith (Phyllis on “The Office”). Lewis Black is all humor as Anger, which is perfect for railing against the PC-ness of San Francisco. And Bill Hader (Fear) and Mindy Kaling (Disgust) hit grand slams expressing those emotions.

The design of the animated world of Riley’s brain is awe-inspiring. The directors (and story creators) Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen generate sensible and easy-to-follow sections of the human psyche, and base them on psychological theories in modern times. It’s a fascinating world put together, and uses a pathway that completely makes sense for Riley. Occasionally, they also cut to other character’s control centers, with hilarious counterpoints and personified “controllers.”

Inside Out
The Life of Riley (voice of Kaitlyn Dias) in ‘Inside Out’
Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios

Mostly, what provides the “watery exhilaration” – that only the best films can produce – is the sheer emotional content, and true empathy with Riley’s situation. We’ve all been there, we’ve all had the “controllers” driving our spirit. Yes, it’s about a individual young girl, but it’s also about the seven billion of us experiencing the same thing on a daily basis. It’s a reminder not to let the negative energies control us, yet also allow that they exist for real purpose, to balance and define who we are.

It’s been a wave of five-star films of late (”Love & Mercy,” ”The Farewell Party”) and now this classic. My cup runneth over this summer, and my Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Sadness and Imaginary Friends all love to go to the movies, if just to reflect back to me the nature of my own humanity.

”Inside Out” opens everywhere in 3D and standard screenings on June 19th. See local listings for 3D screenings and show times. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Bill Hader, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Mindy Kaling, Diane Lane, Kyle McLachlan, Paula Poundstone and Frank Oz. Screenplay by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley. Story created and directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen. Rated “PG

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Writer, Editorial Coordinator
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2015 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker