Inside Out

Rating: 8/10 (22 June 2015)

Inside Out gradually introduces us into the complexities of human mind in an accessible way, so therefore, this ambitious ride through the turbulent emotions of pre-adolescence is likable and very entertaining, without losing a considerable emotional resonance I hadn't seen in a Pixar film since Toy Story 2. And I'm not talking about an easy emotional manipulation, but an authentic comprehension of the mood swings we all experience in moments of crisis and transition. What the hell does all that mean? It doesn't matter; it's better to watch the film. Not all the concepts harmonically integrate themselves into the vertiginous narrative; there are some arbitrary moments which exploit the diffuse logic of the story, and the ending feels like a convenient "deus ex machina". However, Inside Out has many pros to offer, such as the excellent voice work from the whole cast, specially Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, Louis Black and Phyllis Smith. And we also have the many voices which bring weight, humor or sensibility to the supporting or incidental roles, making them equally relevant and funny (Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Richard Kind, Paula Poundstone, Bobby Moynihan, Paula Pell, Flea, Rashida Jones, John Ratzenberger and the great Frank Oz). Besides, we have the extraordinary images created by the Pixar artists, with characters full of expressiveness, settings of a magical design, casual realism and the accustomed details which make us smile or think when we least expected it (by the way, don't forget to stay during the end credits to understand the difference between cats and dogs). In conclusion, I wouldn't consider it an excellent movie, but I think Inside Out marks Pixar's return to original thought, the solid combination of animation, story and imagination, and the dramatic zeal which characterized its best films, before they became a factory of sequels and toy commercials to satisfy the ambition of its corporative father. Sure, there seem to be many second, third and even fourth parts in the list of Pixar's future projects, but as long as they keep that seed of creativity which generates innovative movies such as Inside Out, things will be on the right track. I think this film doesn't only represent the girl Riley's "coming of age", but also Pixar's itself; after a difficult period of adjustment, life is extended to a future full of possibilities. I wonder what is waiting for them in the adolescence...