‘Inside Out 2’ Review: Pixar Had No Business Making Us Cry Like That

I knew that Inside Out 2 was going to make me cry. The first movie was a raw but honest look at how we are shaped as human beings from our very formative years. And I remember walking away from that movie wondering what had happened in my life and what stations did I have in my brain that my emotions were looking after. Because I definitely didn’t have a family island or the safety and security of sweet and fun moments that Riley had. Nevertheless, it was a moment of introspection that I value. Now Inside Out 2 has me thinking about how the older you get, the more complex emotions are and how we find a way to define ourselves within that glorious mess. And me thinking about it long after the film is done, is already a success for the movie once again.

There were no real villains in Inside Out 2. Joy and Anxiety were trying to do the best they could and had Riley’s best interests at heart. Like the first movie, there was a lack of communication and one side thinking they knew better than the other. But there was also the added facet in Inside Out 2 where these new emotions that pop up when you hit puberty, well, they’re hard to control. You’ve never experienced them before and you realize that the world was a little bit less complex before puberty. Simpler. Now these emotions come in, and that persona or view of yourself, becomes harder to define. We saw Riley tackle all this in her mind but also in the real world.

Riley experienced some really adult emotions in Inside Out 2 that she didn’t know how to handle but that will be easily digestible to kids; another reason why this movie is a success. Sometimes you lose contact with your friends that you thought you were going to know forever or be with for the rest of your life. Then there are other times when you want to forget your past a little bit because you’re so worried about your future and how it will pan out. Then there are times when you lose who you are entirely because you think that the way you are isn’t enough. And it’s not that simple. The older you get the more you realize that life has a lot of ups. It has a lot of joys. But it also has a lot of hurt, loss, and pain. But what we decide to do in the face of all of that helps define who we are. 

There is one moment in Inside Out 2 that I found extremely hard to watch but I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I’m talking about the panic attack scene. Kids go through that. I’ve gone through that. And if you can show kids that are watching this movie that that feeling is something that others experience as well, it’s going to give them a sense of comfort. In a way, Pixar was demystifying panic attacks and showing that they can happen to anyone. You could have your life all together and not really have experienced depression or anxiety before. And then BOOM. Something hits you and if you’re not taught what it means or have never seen someone else experience it, you’ll lack the education to understand but you’ll also lack the grace to be kind to yourself because you’re not alone in this feeling. 

That’s not to say that everything is perfect in Inside Out 2. I’m consistently bothered by the dismissive emotions inside the dad’s head where all he can focus on is in sports. This is a movie about complex emotions. You would think they would give the dad the same grace that they give Riley in dealing with her emotions. Instead, the dad is cookie cutter just as much as the mom is. Her parents, at least in my opinion, should be a bigger grounding force for Riley. And I do understand the value of having her go through this journey with her friends leaving and going to a different high school with a popular girl that she looks up to. But the kid that we know when it comes to Riley, she loves her parents. And I would like to see more of them outside this basic construct Pixar gave them. 

I also still find myself a little bit confused by the emotions. I’m trying not to think too deeply on it but sometimes I feel like the emotions control Riley more than actually helping her. So it makes me wonder if Riley is her own person or if the emotions are behind the wheel? For example, Riley’s panic attack is tied to Anxiety clicking all the buttons, frantically looking for a solution. Riley’s bad idea of breaking into the coach’s office is tied to the idea storm that Anxiety brought forward. And Riley suppressing her emotions is tied to Joy throwing away anything that isn’t a basic emotion. A part of me wants to let this go and not think too deeply about it. But Pixar, especially their Inside Out world, prides itself on telling complex stories about emotions and growth. So you would think they would make it a little clear as to if they’re helping Riley or controlling her.

Inside Out 2 is now available in theaters.

What did you think of Inside Out 2? Let us know in the comments below!