Introduction
I recently went to my local theater to see Pixar's Inside Out 2. I was a little late to the party, but considering how much I enjoyed the first movie as a child, and how I have seen its success ripple across social media, I knew I had to give it a watch.
To briefly summarize the Inside Out duology, it explores the mind of an angsty girl named Riley Anderson, along with her five emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. While the first movie primarily focused on the idea of accepting sadness as a vital emotion, the second movie focused on the new, fluctuating emotions that come with puberty. To represent these complex emotions, Inside Out 2 introduces four more characters: Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui.
My Take on the Film
I'll begin by saying that I loved the film. Inside Out 2 is a clever sequel; seeing how emotions are impacted by puberty brings up lots of thought-provoking questions for viewers, and this obstacle enriches the plot of the story, putting the movie's characters through all sorts of compelling situations.
I saw so much of myself in Riley; from how nervous she was to enter high school, to how she constantly felt pressured to perform well. Even if it is a “kids' movie”, Inside Out 2 touches on the nuanced and important topic of mental health, and maintaining your self-worth despite various challenges… these ideas also translate into adulthood as well. Overall, this movie is a must-see, especially for younger teenagers, who may be quite new to the various emotional changes that come with puberty.
The Buzzing Trend
According to BBC, Inside Out 2 has become one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, surpassing famous titles such as Frozen 2. With its undeniable success, the franchise has reached many people, beyond just children and teenagers.
In recent months, there have been many social media posts about Inside Out 2, as well. From people drawing what their emotions would look like as characters from the movie, as well as people narrating their thoughts while performing a certain task. Many people also record themselves in different outfits inspired by the Inside Out 2 characters.
In the above YouTube Short, athlete Molly Carlson explores how her “Inside Out Emotions” would be reacting to how her recent high-diving competition went.
What We Love About the Movies
Inside Out touched the hearts of many with its relatable storyline, from Riley's interests such as ice hockey to her struggles trying to ‘fit in’ as she moved from Minnesota to California. Inside Out 2 captured the essence of what it is like to become a teenager-- from departing friendships to being “awkward” to worrying about high school. Riley's struggles surrounding self-worth and peer pressure can also be relatable for many teenagers and can allow parents to empathize with their children, as well.
Image Credit: Kobe - from Pexels
Accepting All of Our Emotions
However, our love for Inside Out 2 exists beyond just the concept of relating to Riley.
Within this franchise, each emotion has a distinct personality and appearance. From Anger's erupting (literally!) anger to Ennui's carefree demeanor, they are all lovable in their own, unique ways. While emotions such as Anxiety and Sadness tend to have a negative connotation, Inside Out 2 has taught us that they both have a job of protecting us humans.
Sadness helps us work through rough situations; crying is a part of the process. Anxiety--although “she” can be a handful--has a purpose of protecting us from potential harm.
While emotions that come from puberty are unpredictable (and sometimes even unwanted), Inside Out 2 has taught us that those emotions are important and valid. They make us who we are.
Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Conclusion
Needless to say, Inside Out 2 has received love from people of all sorts of generations. Through nine adorable and lively characters, this film taught us about our wonderful minds.
By recognizing ourselves through the mind of Riley, we can feel a sense of unity in the overwhelming but adventure-packed process of growing up.
Let us never underestimate stories, especially ones geared toward children. They can teach us so much more.
