Sequels can be contentious territory for Pixar, but the premise of “Inside Out 2” feels naturally compelling. Nine years have passed since the original “Inside Out,” and Riley, the young girl with a head full of emotions, has aged from 11 to 13, navigating the tumultuous waters of early adolescence.
The story begins with the familiar emotions—Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Tony Hale), Disgust (Liza Lapira), and Anger (Lewis Black)—being jolted awake by an alarming beep, indicating a significant change: “Puberty.” The control room is soon overrun with construction workers making way for new, more sophisticated emotions: Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos). Riley wakes up to a bewildering new reality, reflecting the rapid changes of adolescence.
“Inside Out 2” transforms from a modest sequel into a film of cataclysmic proportions, sensitive to one of life’s most awkward phases. The sequel may not capture the boundless imagination of its predecessor, but it effectively filters complex psychological developments into a bright, entertaining journey that hits emotional high notes.
While Joy was the protagonist of the first film, representing a parental figure desperate to preserve childhood happiness, the sequel shifts focus to Riley, now grappling with Anxiety. Riley, voiced by Kensington Tallman, is taller, has good friends, and still loves hockey, but her internal world is evolving. Boy Band Island is gone, and a new Belief System emerges from her memories. “Inside Out 2” explores Riley’s core identity, tested and reshaped by new experiences.
The film introduces new creative minds, with Kelsey Mann making his directorial debut, taking over from Pete Docter, and a script by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein. The sequel retains much of the charm of the original, though some elements, like Bing Bong, are missed. The narrative tilts more outside Riley’s mind, depicting her struggles with changing friendships and self-doubt, particularly at a weekend hockey camp previewing her high school life.
“Inside Out 2” arrives during a period of reflection for Pixar, managing to recapture some of its magic while acknowledging the challenges of rekindling past brilliance. The sequel stays close to familiar neural pathways, with new cerebral puns and a new childhood relic, Bloofy, voiced by Ron Funches. While more predictable than its predecessor, the film’s aim is true, addressing the complexities of anxiety, especially for teenage girls.
In an era where Pixar and other studios are navigating a new media landscape, “Inside Out 2” reaffirms the studio’s commitment to feature-length films with robust theatrical releases. This sequel, set to play exclusively in theaters for 100 days, offers a much-needed refuge from today’s anxiety-inducing devices, focusing affectingly on the struggles of adolescence.
“Inside Out 2,” a Walt Disney Co. release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for some thematic elements. Running time: 96 minutes. Three stars out of four.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
