Brilliant, clever and entertaining

Rating: 8/10 (11 November 2018)

In this animated film, the mind of an eleven-year old American girl is a universe unto itself. Five characters represent primary emotions occasionally battling for dominance. The world that surrounds them includes a mega-factory like setting that represents long-term memory.
To call "Inside Out" clever is a great understatement. It shows the same great creativity and imagination that made the "Toy Story" movies such a pleasure to watch. While the girl's outer world has difficult challenges, the inner world (as depicted on screen) is even more chaotic while appearing as an adventure.
The film succeeds in its unusual use of psychology as the device to drive its plot. It even manages to create genuine sadness when some of the girl's early childhood memories disappear. And speaking of psychology, the story has a gentle jab against what could be called "the tyranny of positive thinking".
The good humour in this movie adds to its entertainment value while its intelligence shines through as well thanks to a clever story by Pete Docter (the director), Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley.