Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Inside Out (a movie review post)

I think it's safe to say that it's been a few years since Pixar put out a truly great film. Not that I haven't enjoyed the last few, but they've lacked a certain Pixar-ness. And if you're wondering what I mean by "Pixar-ness," well, I can't answer that question. You might as well ask me to define love definitively. Whatever it is, though, Inside Out has it.

My first thought was that this is the best movie they've done since Up (because I was forgetting that Toy Story 3 was actually after Up because those movies exist all together somewhere outside of the rest of the Pixar movies). That was before I found out that this one is made by the same guy that did Up, Pete Docter. This one is just as good (I know because my wife spent approximately half of the movie crying and the other half laughing).

The first most interesting thing about the movie is the representation of how the mind works. Evidently, a lot of research went into getting the science of it correct, even if just for an animated movie. The whole thing started, basically, as a science question because, when his daughter entered adolescence, Docter asked himself the question, "I wonder what's going on her brain." And, so, he tried to find out. And, then, made a movie about it.

The idea of there being core emotions and those emotions sort of being in control of who we are as people is, what I'm going to call, "good science," meaning they didn't just make up that stuff for the movie, only simplified it a little. I think the struggle between Joy and Sadness for the movie is extremely telling for our culture, especially for girls and women for whom there is a much greater social pressure to be happy. All the time. Of course, the conflict centers around Riley's loss of control of her Sadness.

Which is where I'll stop, because I don't want to have spoilers.

The animation was amazing, as is to be expected. Mostly, it's the backgrounds. The movie is full of memory marbles (my term; I don't know what they actually call them) and, if you pay attention to them in the background, they are always active. They're not just stacks of static spheres to fill up space. Seriously, the difference in animation from when I was a kid to now is... it's the difference between making a cardboard stage and putting on a finger puppet production and television.

The voice acting was, of course, excellent. Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith were perfect for Joy and Sadness. Poehler brought to Joy the same kind of exuberance that she brings to Leslie Knope, which is why, I'm sure, she was chosen for the role. But it's Smith who really made the movie. Her rather, what I can only describe as, sad-sack voice was the perfect fit for Sadness. The other voicers were great, too, but it all comes down to Joy and Sadness; if those two hadn't worked, the movie wouldn't have worked.

And it does work. If you've ever seen a Pixar movie and enjoyed it, you definitely don't want to miss this one. In fact, if you take the Toy Story movies as one spot, Inside Out has a fighting chance at being one of the top five movies Pixar has done. Okay, that might be a hard call, but saying top six seems kind of weird. Anyway, it's a great movie. It will make you laugh, and it might make you cry.

20 comments:

  1. Great review. I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm excited to. What I love about the premise is exploring the importance of sadness in who we are. That's an emotion I think a lot of people dismiss.

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    1. Stephanie: Not just dismiss but completely avoid. Like sadness is some kind of utter failure.

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  2. The crying part is why I haven't seen it yet, because I heard it was really sad.
    And I know I am the only one on the planet, but I really disliked Up. I thought it was weird and very depressing. That's another reason I haven't seen Inside Out yet.

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    1. Alex C: It's not sad. It has some sad parts, but that doesn't make the movie sad, and that's part of what the movie is about. Up isn't sad or depressing. It's uplifting. If you get stuck in the sad part, you didn't see what the movie was about.

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  3. Sounds good. I don't know if we'll see it while it's in theaters. My daughter has not expressed much interest as yet.

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    1. TAS: I bet she'd like it. Though it's not a movie that necessarily needs to be seen in the theater.

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    2. Looks like we're going to see it on Sunday.

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    3. TAS: You'll have to let me know what you think.

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  4. This sounds like an unusually deep theme for Pixar or even any children's books. It's great to know they think kids can handle this stuff and did such a great job making it palatable and light. Thanks for the review!

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    1. Lexa: It's no deeper than what they've done before in movies like Up and Toy Story 3. And kids can handle it, because kids, frequently, have to handle it as they are going through the same kinds of things. Some of the movie is based on Docter's experience with moving as a child.

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  5. It certainly looks good. Pixar still hasn't managed to break out of the same-face mold they have for female characters, but they're getting better.

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    1. Jeanne: I haven't noticed that about the faces.
      And it was good.

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  6. Cool. You're right that Pixar hasn't been as epic in recent years. I'm glad to hear that this one is a return to form.

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    1. Rusty: I just hope it lasts. I'm kind of scared, considering all of the production problems its had, of The Good Dinosaur.

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  7. Joy and Mr Bunches went to see this in the theater; Mr F and I aren't theater-goers so much. But they liked it a lot. Mr Bunches plays emotions now all the time around the house, and I actually think it helped him understand his own emotions a little better. Sounds like Pixar has a winner here. Lots of people are saying it's their best ever, but I suspect that's just because the last few were so 'meh'.

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    1. Briane: I'm not going to say it's their best, but it's very good. And, you know, if that movie is capable of helping, well, anyone understand their emotions better, then more power to it!

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  8. I'm probably taking the kids to see this next week, so good to hear a positive review of it! I haven't heard much about it, which is surprising.

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    1. Shannon: I think that's because Pixar isn't such big news anymore? I don't know. Let me know what you think.

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  9. Inside Out is the most creative movie Pixar has ever did. Just every idea, every area in his girl's head is brilliant and wonderful. The lesson it teaches is wonderful, and is one for parents and kids alike. Also this movie is entertaining for parents as well. The writing is smart, the jokes are clever. It has that Disney/Pixar sadness in it and it is used in full force. Which makes the movie's ending that much happier. Inside Out easily ranks up there with UP, Finding Nemo, and the Toy Story Films. Pixar is back, baby!
    Watch InsideOut Movie Online Free

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  10. Inside Out isn't just a sign of renewed youth from Pixar. It's the reason Pixar exists.

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