“Inside Out” (2015)

Inside Out

Grade: A

When Pixar Animation Studios — and, by extension, director Pete Docter — is at its best and most imaginative, the production company is capable of delivering a timeless classic that deals with complex emotions and can be understood and cherished by all audiences of all ages; a film that is fun, poignant, happy, sad and thoughtful all at once. Inside Out fits the bill. A few more notes on Inside Out:

Director:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Docter was influenced by the works of Charlie Kaufman when creating this film, specifically Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Being John Malkovich. The inside-the-head premise of emotions personified is tremendous fun, and the way Docter frames the inner universe of the mind is endlessly inventive and — perhaps most noteworthy — psychologically sound. The power of memory is strong, especially when transposed into such simple, colorful, universal visuals.

Acting:

The talented voice cast of Inside Out is filled with comedians and Saturday Night Live alums, including Amy Poehler as the relentlessly effervescent Joy, Phyllis Smith as the comically depressed Sadness and Richard Kind as a long-forgotten imaginary friend named Bing Bong. Every member of the ensemble — which also includes Lewis Black, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling — goes far beyond stock emotions to deliver genuinely touching performances.

Writing:

Inside Out hits on every level; a smart story that only gets smarter as the movie goes on. Just like the anthropomorphic emotions in Riley’s head, the film itself runs the gamut of feelings: joy, sadness, fulfillment, introspection. There are multiple scenes powerful enough to bring tears to your eyes, and there are twice as many that will make you laugh your ass off. All the while, the film provides tremendous insight into the psychology of the human mind.

Music:

Frequent Pixar collaborator Michael Giacchino delivers a stirring soundtrack that hits all the emotional beats of the story. In particular, the plaintive moments of piano-driven poignancy are terrific: Giacchino utilizes direct, bittersweet, minor chords to wring an extra tear or two during the movie’s melancholic sequences (similar to Jon Brion’s work in Eternal Sunshine).

Ending (SPOILERS):

It’s okay to be sad. Inside Out imparts a heartfelt message with a caring, profound and mature conclusion in which every character comes of age, teaching audiences young and old that wistfulness is one of our most powerful and necessary emotions. In its childlike wonderment and deeply affecting pathos, the ending of Inside Out is as moving as E.T. or To Kill a Mockingbird.

“Take her to the moon for me, okay?” – Bing Bong

Why Inside Out gets an A:

An endlessly imaginative storyline and equally affecting emotional themes makes Inside Out one of Pixar’s greatest films.

Accolades: 

Colin’s Review Best Films of the 2010s

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