‘Inside Out’ brings childhood anxieties to life
Wednesday July 22, 2015 | By:Tony Baksa |
Disney/Pixar has created a classic. “Inside Out” is compelling in its originality and deeply moving. It is the story of an 11-year-old girl’s journey through depression. Funny and sad, “Inside Out” tackles this delicate subject matter in a most surprising and entertaining way.
Young Riley is uprooted from her suburban home in Minnesota to San Francisco, due to her dad’s job transfer and she is faced with the reality of building a new life. The cleverness of this movie cannot be overstated. As Riley sinks into unhappiness, her inner voices become characters – Fear, Anger, Disgust, Joy and Sadness. Expertly voiced by a brilliant and expressive cast, “Inside Out” is profound, intelligent and speaks to all ages.
Front and center are Joy battling Sadness – not in a mean, cartoonish way, but gentle and loving. We learn that Joy and Sadness are necessary allies for Riley’s well-being. Fear, Disgust and Anger cannot be dismissed and also aid in motivating Riley to adjust to her circumstances.
Beautifully animated and filled with delightful characters, “Inside Out” succeeds in bringing childhood anxieties to life. The surprising level of suspense supplies an irresistible momentum that is breathtaking.
Standouts include Bing Bong, Riley’s imaginary friend that still lingers in her memory, even though she has outgrown such things. Voiced by Richard Kind, Bing Bong is sweet and funny and ultimately touching. Sadness, voiced by Phyllis Smith, is the star of the show. She is strangely loveable and completely necessary. Her chemistry with Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, is the engine that runs the movie.
Credit co-directors Peter Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen, along with their team of writers, for the abundance of imagination brimming over in this remarkable film. Essential to the emotional life of this movie is the delicate score composed by Michael Giacchino.
Be prepared to laugh. “Inside Out” is very funny. Be prepared to cry— several times— as “Inside Out” astonishes you with its power.
Young Riley is uprooted from her suburban home in Minnesota to San Francisco, due to her dad’s job transfer and she is faced with the reality of building a new life. The cleverness of this movie cannot be overstated. As Riley sinks into unhappiness, her inner voices become characters – Fear, Anger, Disgust, Joy and Sadness. Expertly voiced by a brilliant and expressive cast, “Inside Out” is profound, intelligent and speaks to all ages.
Front and center are Joy battling Sadness – not in a mean, cartoonish way, but gentle and loving. We learn that Joy and Sadness are necessary allies for Riley’s well-being. Fear, Disgust and Anger cannot be dismissed and also aid in motivating Riley to adjust to her circumstances.
Beautifully animated and filled with delightful characters, “Inside Out” succeeds in bringing childhood anxieties to life. The surprising level of suspense supplies an irresistible momentum that is breathtaking.
Standouts include Bing Bong, Riley’s imaginary friend that still lingers in her memory, even though she has outgrown such things. Voiced by Richard Kind, Bing Bong is sweet and funny and ultimately touching. Sadness, voiced by Phyllis Smith, is the star of the show. She is strangely loveable and completely necessary. Her chemistry with Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, is the engine that runs the movie.
Credit co-directors Peter Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen, along with their team of writers, for the abundance of imagination brimming over in this remarkable film. Essential to the emotional life of this movie is the delicate score composed by Michael Giacchino.
Be prepared to laugh. “Inside Out” is very funny. Be prepared to cry— several times— as “Inside Out” astonishes you with its power.
