Not for small children

Rating: 6/10 (11 September 2015)

Here is a curious and original idea for a movie concerning the inner workings of the mind. Five core emotions govern the thoughts and actions of each of us throughout our lives. Everyone is subject to the control of the emotions to a lesser or greater degree, depending on which emotion dominates the individual's psyche
For children,generally, the hopelessly optimistic Happiness, or Joy, holds sway. Adults tended to be dominated by the more negative emotions.
The film is about the feelings felt by an 11-year old girl uprooted from her childhood home to San Francisco because of her father's job; how she feels, how she reacts, what happens inside her head. It is a brave idea but is not appreciated by younger viewers, apart from the pretty pictures and colourful characters. I enjoyed it, but felt that the adults should have more than just the five basic emotions. Perhaps Pride, Greed, and Jealousy should have been present, each tempered by their opposite, Humility, Temperance, and Generosity. Maybe this would clutter the control room a little too much, though.
The emotions were perfectly voiced and the animation was impressive, as always from Pixar. It's a good idea for a movie, but it isn't for laughs. The only humour was in the end credits. The preceding short, Lava, was dull.