Psychoanalysis made accessible to kids

Rating: 8/10 (23 April 2018)

Okay, I could talk about this movie all day - but for brevity's sake I'll try to use this review to address just two key observations. To begin with, this is the first IMDB review that I've felt compelled to write - and compelled is the appropriate word - as the many poorly formulated critiques of this offering demand a robust rebuttal.
Firstly, in answer to those individuals who feel that this wonderfully imaginative romp was in any way simplistic - sadly they have neither the intellectual sophistication to appreciate the insights it offers to adults nor the bountiful enthusiasm to recognise the wonder it serves up for wee ones. To suggest that this is some sort of half-baked telling in which a bit of a cry rights the world's ills is, in and of itself, an extraordinarily over-simplistic analysis of the narrative.
On the contrary - the whole point of the story is that Riley (by means of her personified emotions) must journey inside herself, consult her dreams and explore the recesses of her subconscious mind in order to learn to embrace her negative emotions - so that she may become a more integrated and well-rounded individual capable of dealing with life's many challenges. This is the crux of psychoanalytic thought - one of the most important and valuable contributions thinkers have made to our collective understanding of the human condition - and this film artfully communicates it in language that children can understand.
Secondly, the notion that this is too sad or depressing for children is actually quite infantile. Kids are not idiots or one-dimensional beings that need to be shielded from the harsh realities of life. In fact, anyone who has a rudimentary understanding of child psychology would know that attempting to achieve this generally results in significant damage to their mental health. There's more than enough accessible comedy contained within this animated masterpiece to keep the tone light and fun - but for the record, the film's that spoke to me most powerfully as a child (namely the animated version of The Lord of the Rings, Watership Down, The Never-ending Story and Return of the Jedi) all contained darkness aplenty.
I'm genuinely concerned for the futures of the children of parents who were unsettled by the tone of this marvellous effort. Please watch it - the somewhat grumbly tone of this review might detract from the glittering gems it has to offer - but trust me, it's hilarious, delightful and ultimately extremely uplifting.