Easily one of the best and most complex animated movies in a long time

Rating: 9/10 (1 July 2015)

First off, the detractors of this film cannot seem to agree on their argument about why it is bad. "It's too realistic, and therefore depressing..." "It's too UNrealistic, because it doesn't show a girl from a broken home or abusive parents..." "It's too heavy for kids and they won't get it..." For what it is worth, this film is both entertaining AND fascinating. The depiction of Riley's brain is actually very well thought-out and digestible for young kids, and its complexities can be appreciated further by adults and older kids. It's very true that there are many jokes and plot points that will go well over the heads of young children, but the underlying message is wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. Making a movie that is kid-centered and kid-targeted is very different than making a movie that is kid-friendly. Some of the most effective family movies of all time have significantly adult themes and plot points. Think about how ET, the first time you saw it, was likely a sob-fest (at least for a while), but ended up being a classic. Toy Story, while a bit more understandable for kids, deals with the crisis of not having an identity and finding a place for yourself. This movie is much the same, as it deals with the sad reality that childhood memories DO eventually go away, and growing up is a tough thing to do. But, on the other side, it leads to a more complex, more whole person. Again, this movie ended up affecting me more than I had expected or was even prepared for, and it made me reflect on my own growing up in a poignant way.