I have to admit, before I saw INSIDE OUT, I am not really sure I knew just exactly what Disney*Pixar’s newest movie was really about. The trailers in the theaters had great songs (More Than A Feeling – Boston and Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith). I am a music loving gal, so a movie with a great soundtrack is always appealing. And let’s face it, those songs are fun. They pump you up and make you feel great! The clips were funny, a bit slap-stick, but I expected a fun, uplifting look into the “voices in my head.”
If you are expecting that from this movie, I will throw caution to the wind and remind you that this is a Disney*Pixar film. Bring tissues – a whole box if you are an overly-emotional parent/person like yours truly. Remember the first ten minutes of UP?
Seriously.
Trying to review this movie without spoilers is nearly impossible. I really feel that every aspect of this movie needs to be experienced, not read about. This movie is more about the emotions it evokes as the story moves on. This movie will tug at every single emotion you have.
Being such an emotional movie, I will say that I feel the movie is geared for older children, maybe closer to main character Riley’s age (11). The movie is safe for all ages, but there is a lot of emotion involved and that may have a problem capturing the attention of young children. NDK sat through the entire movie and loved it, but her interpretation of the movie is quite different. In talking to her about the movie, I noticed she tended to skip a LOT of the sad, unhappier parts when recalling the story. She focused on a the fun parts and the characters, like a 7 year old should.
The Emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust are FUN. You cannot help but love all the characters in this movie. They are completely adorable and you will want the merchandise. My next trip to Magic Kingdom will result in the purchase of my favorite character, Bing Bong. Having older children, Bing Bong’s story line hit home HARD.
A few observations you should look for:
- Lava is a beautiful short, but very similar to Paperman and Blue Umbrella.
- Riley’s feeling have a warm glow and are fuzzy.
- Mom and Dad’s feelings are ruled by different emotions.
- Kids have a LOT going on inside their heads.
- Never grow up.
- The very end of the movie is the funniest.
You will enjoy this movie, but maybe not in the same sense you enjoy other movies. It’s a very heavy movie, with many realistic parallels. I compared it to cheesecake. Simply wonderful, but you can only have so much. While I loved it, I won’t be able to watch it too often due to the tears.
So, what did NDK have to say about this? I asked her a few questions and shared her honest responses.
The NDK Review:
What was Inside Out about: I really don’t know what it was about. The movie is about Riley and her Emotions. When she moves, everything changes. Joy has trouble trying to keep Riley happy because Sadness keeps on turning the memories blue. They go on an adventure.
Who was your favorite Emotion: Disgust, because she is pretty. She acts all sassy. It’s funny. I also liked Bing Bong. He cried candy tears. I would like an imaginary friend like Bing Bong. I just want to hug Bing Bong.
What do your Emotions do: They are at a table with buttons and levers. That makes Riley talk. When each emotion is at the table, they make her talk the way the Emotion is controlling her.
But what do your emotions do: I don’t know. But I am always happy. I guess my Sadness and Joy haven’t gone on an adventure yet.
Was this a happy movie or a sad movie: I think it was both. The beginning was really fun when Riley was just born. The ending made me sad. My mom won’t let me say why. What’s a spoiler?
Funniest part: The VERY end. Just before the credits. That’s all my mom will let me say.
What did you think of Lava? : I didn’t really get it. I think this was a grown up short. Too much love stuff.
Was Inside Out a movie for kids? I think it was a family movie because it’s a happy/sad family movie,. A kid can hug their mom or dad during the movie when they are sad so they feel better.
Go see Inside Out – in theaters NOW!
From an adventurous balloon ride above the clouds to a monster-filled metropolis, Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Up”) has taken audiences to unique and imaginative places. In Disney•Pixar’s original movie “ Inside Out,” he will take us to the most extraordinary location of all—inside the mind.
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.
Disclosure: I was given movie tickets in exchange for my honest thoughts on the movie. ALl opinions are my own.
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
