A fresh new idea from Pixar, appealing to both kids and adults.

Rating: 8/10 (26 June 2015)

In their early years of feature film production, fans would flock to see the newest Pixar film. From toys to monsters, to fish, to superheroes, Pixar never failed to deliver a fun, creative idea. In recent years, however, the production company has found itself in the sequel race that has overtaken the box office. After disappointing sequels to Monsters Inc. and Cars, and a princess story that didn't grasp in Brave, along with Disney's success with their own 3D animation, we are forced to face the question: Is Pixar losing their touch? Pixar now returns with Inside Out, a refreshing new idea that will leave few to doubt that Pixar can create a fresh, creative idea.
On the surface, we aren't given much as to the depth of this film. The idea that we all have these little characters of emotion in our heads is creative, but one can't but wonder: "Can a whole film ride on this idea?" Rest assured that this film has a lot more depth than shown in its promotions.
Inside Out tells the story of five different emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, who operate the command center that is the mind of Riley, a young girl from Minnesota. When Riley's family moves to San Francisco, California, the emotions must work together to help the young girl cope with growing up and transitioning into a new home. Directors Pete Docter (Monsters Inc., Up), and first time feature director Ronaldo Del Carmen certainly deliver the fun and emotion that fans should expect from a Pixar film.
Pixar paints an excellent juxtaposition between the mundane human world and the complexity of the human mind. One the outside, the film presents a very drab setting to Riley's San Francisco life, an uncharacteristic setting of the normally captivating Pixar. The mind, however, is a vibrant world that is an excellent blend of organic, mechanical, industrial and fantasy all while maintaining the core of neurology.
Audiences will enjoy the colorful cast of characters (both literally and figuratively). While remaining confined in a single emotion, the emotion characters are still dynamic enough to develop throughout the film. As for the human characters in which these emotions inhabit, they are only shown in glances throughout the film, yet they are given the depth which makes them accessible to the audience. The film also delivers on its casting. Who else could encompass Joy better than the bubbly Amy Poehler? Or who could show the rage of Anger better than the ranting Lewis Black?
Where Inside Out, shows its weakness is through the film's lack of aggressiveness in humor. Its jokes are definitely geared towards the older viewers. The jokes hit the nail right on the head in precision, but at times the delivery is so subtle that it can be easy to miss.
Pixar delivers in a unique way in Inside Out. Straying from traditional Disney adventure, the film's conflict is not rooted by an antagonist. Instead it is driven by the compassion that it presents to the limitations and difficulty of human nature. It is a colorful adventure for kids all while delivering an emotional roller coaster that adults can relate to.