Inside Out 2 (2024)

 "Maybe this is what happens when you grow up..."

So today, having watched the original Inside Out, today it was off to the cinema with Little Miss Llamastrangler to see a seqiuel that's come out a massive nine years latert. I suppose one may be inclined to see that as a worrying sign, as well as the fact that the main point of the film- puberty- was telegraphed all those years ago.

So is this the equal of the first film? Well, no, not really. But it's still good, and Little Miss Llamastrangler loved it, which counts for an awful lot as far as I'm concerned. The way the concept was handled was superb. New emotions such as Embarrassment, Envy, Ennui (my absolute favourite)... and the superb Maya Hawke absolutely stealing the show as Envy.

Wisely, the film takes place over a limited period of time in Riley's life, as she goes to an ice hockey camp where she absolutely must impress, and is torn between old and new friends. The horrors of sexual awakening, I trust, can wait until the next film, presumably in 2033.

The plot works out well, with lots of nice little humorous moments. The ultimate resolution is a little trite, though, and the film overall doesn't have quite the pizzazz of its more original predecessor. Nevertheless, these things are hardly crimes, and the new emotions are great. This is well worthy seeing.

Inside Out (2015)

 "Forget it, Jake. It's Cloudtown."

This is a film chosen not by myself but by Little Miss Llamastrangler. It's been a while since I've seen a Pixar film, and this one I's never seen before.

Yet I've never seen a Pixar film I didn't like, this one included. It's not necessarily a genre I'd usually seek out, but good films of any genre can be hugely enjoyable. I mean, I've even watched and blogged Grease...

I must admit... I'm a Brit of a certain age. So, with apologies to those who don't get the reference, I was very much reminded of the Numbskulls from The Beezer. But the concept was superb. On, on the surface it's about a littlre girl's anthropomorphised emotions, yes. But it's about the uncertainties of change, especially rocky ones, when one is growing up.

And it's also about the necessity of sadness, too. We know what Joy is for. Anger, Fear and Disgust protect us. But Sadness? It takes the whole film, more or less, to effectively drive home the lesson: we could all do with a bit of melancholy, sometimes.

We also have lots of little in-jokes from the grown-ups, a random supporting role from Kyle MacLachlan, no less, and some bloody brilliant imaginitive concepts. Not, then, the sort of film I'd often seek out, but very good stuff nonetheless.