Disney/Pixar’s “Inside Out 2″ Movie Review and Digital Details

Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of Riley, now a young teenager, just as her emotional headquarters faces unexpected changes. In this sequel, the much-loved Emotions – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust – are thrown off balance when a new, powerful force enters the picture: Anxiety. Read on for a review of Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 arriving to digital retailers (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home) on August 20 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 10.

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Plot

Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone. Maya Hawke lends her voice to Anxiety, alongside Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear, and Liza Lapira as Disgust. Directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen.

Thoughts on Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2’s portrayal of early adolescence is pretty realistic, capturing the ups and downs that come with trying to fit in, developing crushes on boys, and experiencing the inevitable feelings of self-doubt. Riley, once carefree and energetic, finds herself struggling to connect with her longtime friends and grappling with a growing sense of alienation. Her love for hockey, a key part of her identity, starts to fade as Anxiety settles into her mind, creating a constant battle between her desire to play battles her feelings that she is just not that good of a player.

Maya Hawke’s portrayal of Anxiety brings some drama to the film. Her character represents the creeping uncertainty and doubt many teens experience, and her interactions with Joy (voiced again by Amy Poehler) make for some of the film’s most interesting moments. Joy, always the optimistic leader, now has to deal with the tough task of making room for emotions that don’t fit into her positive view of life.

What makes Inside Out 2 stand out is how it continues to explore complex emotional experiences in a way that’s relatable to both kids and adults. Anxiety, as an emotion, is portrayed not as a villain but as an inevitable part of growing up. It’s a reminder that feeling overwhelmed is normal, especially during a time of life can be tough going through adolescence.

The humor and heart from Inside Out are still present, with familiar characters like Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira) adding levity to the heavier themes. The new dynamic, with Anxiety joining the mix, opens the door to more realistic storytelling because Riley’s inner world becomes increasingly complicated as all the Emotions try to work together.

Overall, Inside Out 2 does a good job of portraying the emotional rollercoaster that comes with entering the teenage years. It’s heartfelt, silly, and above all, honest. Riley’s emotional journey makes for a sequel that feels just as fitting as the original. While the stakes are different this time around, the message is clear: all kids have emotions and learning to balance them is the key to growing up.

Inside Out 2 Digital or DVD Bonus Features

• New Emotions – With Riley’s imminent puberty, the story of Inside Out 2 always suggested that there would be a party of new emotions complicating Riley’s world—and throwing a wrench into Joy’s hard-won stability. But exactly what those new emotions could be was a big question mark. Casting the new emotions in Riley’s mind was a fun exploration into the shifting mindset of a teenager, and was also informed by some of the discarded scenes and characters from the original film. In this documentary we’ll discuss that process of creating Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy—from narrowing them down from a long list of possible emotions, to the design, animation, and voicing of these new, hilarious, and strangely recognizable characters.

• Unlocking the Vault – In a kind of visual commentary, a group of central creatives watch and discuss the scene “The Vault.” As they stop and start—and refer to various IP versions of the scene—we’ll hear about the inspiration for Riley’s repressed memories like Bloofy and Lance Slashblade, the development of the scene in Story, and the technical challenges of creating 2D characters that exist in the CG world of Riley’s mind.

• Deleted Scenes
  • Cold Open – In this alternate opening, a now 13-year-old Riley awkwardly fumbles her way through an original song she wrote for a school audition.
  • Broken Joy – After momentarily being unable to drive the console, Joy worries that she might be starting to malfunction.
  • Pool Party – After Riley tries too hard to be fun at an older teen’s party – resulting in utter embarrassment – her “Anxiety” becomes “Self-Loathing” who then ousts our hero emotions from headquarters.
  • Puberty Park – After seeing their faces printed on “wanted posters,” Joy and the others rogue emotions race through a puberty-themed amusement park while being chased by mind worker cops.
  • Shame Spiral – At a lock-in with some cool, older girls, Riley and friends play a game of “Never Have I Ever” that goes a bit too far – wreaking havoc in Riley’s mind.

Other Disney/Pixar Movie Reviews:

Catch These Three Pixar Favorites on the Big Screen!

Elemental: A Review of Pixar’s Enchanting Film

Movie Review: Pixar’s Turning Red