A trip down some hard roads on the highway of life
This is a film that looks at more than the emotions of a little girl named Riley and how they control her. It looks at life for a kid when they are forced to leave all they know behind and move to a new place. An unfamiliar town that is totally different without friends or any idea how to make new ones. It can be rough no matter what age they are and there is no easy way to deal with it. Pixar has done it again with a movie that has something for all ages and is a must watch film that comes out this Friday.
Basically, the film centers on the emotions in Riley’s head, an 11 year old girl who had to move suddenly from Minnesota to San Francisco where her dad got a new job. It is a rough transition because it means leaving so many good things behind. Joy is the emotion who wants nothing more than to keep Riley happy and she works hard to achieve this goal every day.
But when something goes wrong, Joy and Sadness end up away from central control and have to find a way back. From this moment the film really picks up speed, with the objective not always being clear but these two main characters knowing they have work together to get back to where they belong. They get to go deep into Riley’s mind and see some amazing sights. But the best part of this journey is the growth that happens along the way. It is a true look into life because change usually happens best when people least expect it. How will Joy and Sadness get back to central control? Why did they get sucked out in the first place? And what things may happen to Riley while they are gone?
Pixar continues to amaze me. With all of the hits they have cranked out since Toy Story it is hard to believe that they could keep this momentum going but somehow they find a way. Not only are the visual effects superb but the plot is pure genius. Although each emotion has a name it doesn’t mean they are so constricted to one emotion all of the time. What is really impressive is how hectic being inside Riley’s head can be at times. It is not always easy for the emotions to see what she should do, but they all agree she must be kept safe.
Joy and Sadness are the two main characters which is funny because they are on such different sides of the emotional spectrum. Joy wants to always be upbeat and Sadness cannot help always looking at the negative side of things. But on their journey they both not only grow, but the finale brings a hero that nobody will see coming. The ending is hilarious and shows that Pixar truly knows how to keep their audience excited and loving every minute of this movie.
The film comes with some very powerful messages and took me back to my childhood. I was lucky to never have to move away at that age but I could relate to Riley because I had friends who went through this very thing. It is hard on both ends, and there really is no way to heal those pains. My best friend moved away when I was a boy, and man was that tough. Seeing Riley move to this new town helped me understand how my friend must have felt.
Another really clear message is the importance of family. No matter how tough things may get sometimes, family is the rock that keep things together. It is important to cherish the families we have no matter if they are blood or not. There are many scenes that show how strong this bond can be, and made it clear why people must not take them for granted.
But the best message that this movie portrays time and time again is growth and change. It happens a number of times in many different scenes, and not always in a happy way. When someone begins to grow up, there isn’t much that can be done to stop it. It is just a part of life, and for many people it will happen often in their life. Inside out does a really good job or bringing this truth to light in a way that people of all ages will understand.
With so many good things to be said this movie deserves a 10/10. It is unlike anything people have witnessed before and proves that Pixar is not running out of ideas any time soon. Kids will love the emotions and the ways they act and talk and adults will have a lot of fun watching all the growth that happens along the way.
If you are a fan of Pixar or Disney you must run out and see this film. If you want to see a different kind of animated picture this is the movie to watch. There is also a new Pixar short that suffice it to say is their best work yet and is sure to blow your mind. Take you kids to this film, they will enjoy every minute of it.
View the trailer here: