DHKR: Inside Out- A Film for The Aspiring Cynic

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2015)

I personally had a lot to worry about what was to come from this movie. Most of which came from the recent trailers that show off what looked like a whimsical adventure of the most generic kind. You know how those would end up, start to finish; The two would butt heads and eventually they would make up and learn to accept one's differences, the usual Disney schlock. Coming from DAS(Disney's Animated Studios), that wouldn't be a surprise, but this here is Pixar. Pixar is known for quality, as well as it's ability to touch audiences both young and old. This couldn't be, no, it shouldn't be just another bloated, clichéd filled ball of puss from the House of Mouse's dumpster, part of the likes of Tomorrowland and the Live Action 'remake' of Cinderella, or worse, the majority of the DAS films.
However, when the film shown actually came out, all such fear had begun to wash away. It may be small for the average movie goer, but to me, this film was the equivalent to baptism. This is truly is worthy of being called a Pixar movie and then some. The whole film itself, the way it deals with emotions, the emotional state of a child at a young age, how the emotions can react and fully create a schism between both life and reason, it all just works perfectly. I could praise the film day and night by it's premise alone, and we haven't scratched the surface.
Oddly enough, the whole story, i.e. what actually causes the the whole "Adventure" in the deep subconscious of Riley revolves around the utter control, almost stubbornness of Joy. Joy is exactly who you'd expect her to be; She's a hyper, spunky, super optimist that has created the most of the "Core Memories" that created the personality of Riley. It's such a big deal, utmost, to a point that the opposite emotion(most notably, Sadness) cannot come close to such memories in the case that it may "poison" or "corrupt" such a joyous thought to a dark, crushing reality that it may have another side to the exact same coin.
Soon, a "Blue" Core Memory crafted by Sadness appears, and Joy does everything to stop it from being uploaded to what I can only call Riley's "Personality Matrix". In trying to stop this "Sabotage" Joy has released the other five Core Memories out and a vacuum sucks them out of the central command. Irony can be a cold hearted woman, can't she. Especially during this, quite possibly the most emotional part of young Riley's life. All that's in charge now are the three most Primal emotions; Fear, Disgust, and Anger. The trinity of every cynic.
Here, I felt worried that the movie would slip into a single sided argument. Each of these three emotions are associated with cynicism, and therefore are evil and shouldn't be chased. films like Tomorrowland, while it isn't a 'bad' film, unfortunately slip into said territory. However, that doesn't happen here in Inside Out, as everything done by them is only because Joy had taught them to "take control with positivity". Fear, Disgust, and Anger try to do only what Joy would do, and they do it wrong because it goes against what they are programed to do. Fear is to fearful, Disgust is too picky, and Anger is far too short-sided and tempered.
Throughout the adventure, we see that Riley's world, thanks to the lack of core memories, is deteriorating and falling into darkness. It's an awful sight to behold, and its to be noted that all of this could've been avoided if Joy didn't try to interfere with the Core Memories and their formation. It feels good and refreshing to see a children's film take something as big and as easily screwable as positive and negative emotions, and see them all come take it with the utmost maturity. If this was DAS, I'm sure it would've gone in a completely different direction.
The climax comes near the end. In an effort to not spoil the ending, I'll just say it's one of Pixar's darkest turns, one of it's well intended endings, and one of it's most touching moments, all Tic-Tac-Toe'd in something I can only say could ever come once in any film company's lifetime. Don't be surprised if you find out earlier, but it's a good one.
Inside Out is one of Pixar's greatest achievements in cinematic history. With it's bright and colorful atmosphere that blends both moments of pure happiness and heartbreaking sorrow, it's mature subject matter that is told and expressed maturely, and it's amazing storytelling, it's setting the standards of all other great movies to come out in the near future. Animated or not.
It's the Crown Jewel of the Summer's movie surge. Go and give it a look, and you won't be disappointed.
Final Result: 5-Stars. S-Ranking