Inside Out is one of those Pixar outputs geared for adults with its deep message about personal growth

Rating: 10/10 (3 September 2019)

With an innovative story telling, Inside Out is a unique Pixar output that elevates the genre by witty exploration of human psychology. Although the film is about a kid who goes through the commotions of losing home and living in another place, Inside Out is one of those Pixar outputs geared for adults with its deep message about personal growth. Human emotions are not simple happiness, sadness, fear, disgust or anger but a combination of each.
Led by Amy Poehler as Joy, the voice cast perfectly embodies the emotion they represent. Inside Out starts by establishing Riley living in an ideal home. The story takes her from Minnesota to San Francisco, providing an abrupt change of environment. Losing her friends and the place she calls home, Riley's world slowly crumbles as a feeling of loss overcomes her. Despite her best attempts Joy is also overcome by Sadness, played by Phyllis Smith, who unbestknown to them is the emotion Riley needs. As both confront at headquarters an accident occurs that transports them to long term memory, leaving behind Fear, Anger and Disgust, emotions that would only exacerbate Riley.
Their journey back to headquarters takes them through Riley's memories, subconscious, abstract thought, dreams and imagination, presenting a landscape of rapid growth for the character. Simultaneously, pillars or islands of Riley's life fall one by one intensifying the emotion's journey.
An idea by Anger to walk away and return to Minnesota nearly lost the character in her sorrow, when in the last moment Sadness was able to prevent Riley from leaving San Francisco. Returning home she breaks down as all core memories are relived, turning to sad memories instead of happy memories. The ending is cathartic as a new core memory with characteristics of happiness and sadness rebuilds a pillar or island of Riley's family. Inside Out never failed to explore an aspect of the character, doing so comically but in a mature way. The trippy visuals and melodic score are also excellent, balancing the story with appropriate artistic qualities.
Inside Out is easily one of Pixar's finest films and one of the greatest work of animation by default.
10/10