Inside Out 2 Review: A More Mature Sequel

Inside Out 2 In all likelihood, this is one of the most anticipated films of 2024. Pixar wants to reverse its recent run of ups and downs by bringing back one of its most beloved and acclaimed IPs. The first part represented a thematic revolution in animated films. An analysis of children’s minds that was also extremely fresh and emotional. Without a doubt, one of the best films in his history. The goal after nine years is to repeat the success.

In this new part, little Riley has already become a full-fledged teenager. At thirteen years of age, a young woman’s life undergoes many changes as she begins high school. And that seminal moment that will forever define his future is also visible in his mind. The five basic emotions – Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust and Sadness – must learn to coexist with new, more complex ones. A task that will not be easy and will lead Riley to understand who she really is.

In search of identity

Throughout the promotion Inside Out 2Pixar has had a major influence on the emergence of new emotions in Riley. Anxiety She arrived first, but they soon followed. Envy, Yearning, Shame and even Nostalgia, although the latter hardly participates in the film. These emotions, which make the teenager a much more complex person, are the perfect reason to return to the sensational story. Fascinating premise.

But along with them there is another wonderful addition to the world Inside out. The film introduces a new term – identity. A set of seemingly unshakable beliefs and values ​​that define a person. Although it may seem complicated at first, the explanation offered in the feed is incredibly simple and easy to understand. The studio repeated the formula that worked so well in the original film. Address psychological topics and theories from a simple and, above all, tangible perspective.

If in the first film it was necessary to explain the basics of the child’s psyche, now everything is even more confusing. Inside Out 2 He becomes more mature to explore theories of secondary emotions and constructs of the inner self. The resources for this could not be better. In fact, the first half hour is superb, showing the onset of puberty as literally a life-altering alarm and a wrecking ball destroying everything in its path. Moreover, when it comes, everything is experienced more intensely. Again, Pixar perfectly understands the mentality of young people without needing to infantilize them.

More emotions, but less emotions

Since the terms and situations raised in Inside Out 2 They are no longer created for children, but for teenagers who must figure it out for themselves. They talk about sarcasm, the need for integration, friendship and the formation of values… And they also talk about anxiety. How, as we grow, we anticipate fears and overanalyze things to avoid hurting ourselves. This is a very difficult emotion because although it may initially be extremely positive, it can easily get out of control.

In short, the last message Inside Out 2 It is much more mature than the previous one. A logical and natural evolution that is also reflected in the tone of the film. Traces of that childish and light humor still remain, but this is a more serious film. Anxiety This is the best part of the film, offering not only the most hilarious situations, but also, with its nervousness and projections, ones that make you think and rethink yourself. Moreover, his development line is approaching such a strong and powerful ending.

His appearance in the film as a counterpoint Happiness It’s the perfect spark to propel the plot forward. However, there is something that is missing. Inside Out 2 It lacks the pure, visceral magic that made the first film so special and unique. The sense of glorious self-deconstruction is still there, but the film has lost much of the soul that is so characteristic of Pixar. Everything is more hieratic and less meaningful. Ironically, even though he deals with and analyzes a lot of emotions, they hold much less of the viewer’s attention.

Adventure without risk

It doesn’t help that the adventures the little characters go on are very similar to those in the first film. Originality and freshness have now become something more predictable and not very innovative. Faced with the sheer fear of leaping into the void and destroying an already established legacy, the new director Kelsey Mannchooses exactly the same narrative structure as the previous one: the exorcism of certain emotions in order to ultimately understand that they are all equally necessary for human evolution.

A commendable message and, again, precise in its approach and approach. But coming from where we came from, we expected something different. After all, everything is new again Inside Out 2 they give it character Anxiety, which will go down in history as one of the best created by the studio; and the aforementioned concept of identity. Otherwise, everything is too similar and continuous to deal with a time of radical change such as adolescence. Although it is pleasant, it can become monotonous in the central area.

Inside Out 2 It has many components that make it successful. The new characters and resources used to explain the teenage mind are a success. But the film loses much of the magic, freshness and originality of the previous one, so it is far from up to par. In any case, this is a completely justified continuation. Deep and designed for viewers several years older than the first. And while they’re still far from their peak, Pixar is regaining some of the creative sparkle it was losing.