INSIDE OUT 2: A Delightful Journey Through Teenage Emotions

While Riley is away at hockey camp, her emotions are dealing with some growing pains. This includes the unexpected arrival of several new emotions that could potentially destroy her Sense of Self. Inside Out 2 is a sequel that impressively captures the same magic as its predecessor while dealing with more complex themes, which will undoubtedly resonate with people of all ages.

WHAT IS HAPPENING? – In Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Fear (voice of Tony Hale) and Disgust (voice of Liza Lapira) are awakened to an alarming reality: everything is changing now that Riley is 13. Directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen, “Inside Out 2” releases only in theaters Summer 2024. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

It’s a perfect continuation in the story as Riley is about to enter her high school years, riddled with the angst and insecurities that trouble a freshly turned 13-year-old. Of course, she still has Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira) to guide her. But with teenagehood comes more complicated emotions, including Anxiety (Maya Hawke), among a few others.

What I adored about the first film is the imaginative way the writers and animators tackle the complexities of the mind, effortlessly weaving in humor and the overarching message. And this film did not disappoint and may have even surpassed the first.

Alongside Anxiety, we also meet Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarassment (Paul Walter Hauser), all of which felt perfectly accurate for a teen and added their hijinks into the mix.

The writing is exceptionally clever, filled with witty and entertaining sequences that were such crowd-pleasers. Aside from the core emotions, it hilariously introduces several new characters locked inside Riley’s mind; including a cartoon dog that had the audience in stitches. And while maintaining age-appropriateness, it also delivers for older audiences, something Pixar has always had a knack for.

EXPANDED HEADQUARTERS — Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley, where headquarters expands to make room for new Emotions. Pictured from L-R: Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Embarrassment (voice of Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (voice of Ayo Edebiri), Anxiety (voice of Maya Hawke), Disgust (voice of Liza Lapira), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Fear (voice of Tony Hale) and Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith). Directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen, “Inside Out 2” releases only in theaters June 14, 2024. © 2024 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

The entire film is a lot of fun, but I really appreciate the way it addresses anxiety. While the animation is fantastic overall, I thought the animators did an especially remarkable job of personifying anxiety. It’s perhaps one of the most accurate depictions of an anxiety attack in film, which will be so helpful for younger audiences and insightful for adults as well.

By the end, I felt such a mix of emotions — maybe even a sense of understanding. It beautifully captures every aspect of the human experience and the range of emotions one can feel. It delivers a powerful message about how every part of life, good and bad, shapes who you are. Life is imperfect, and how we deal may also be imperfect, but it’s all part of being human.

Inside Out 2, much like the first film, is a delightful experience with stunning animation that perfectly portrays complex emotions, teaching valuable lessons for all ages. It’s truly the best of Pixar, and I hope to see more emotions explored with this series.

Inside Out 2 is in theaters Friday!