Inside Out 2 is extremely relatable for all ages, but especially for tweens, teens, and adults. It is more mature than the first, but that’s a good thing.
Inside Out 2 is an emotional roller coaster. It is brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud funny, and it isn’t afraid to get real. Teenagers have a rough go of it, there is no doubt about that. The anxiety and pressures that we put on ourselves are captured beautifully in this film and are sure to have audiences everywhere in their feels.
Inside Out 2 comes 10 years after the original, and that puberty alarm that appeared at the end has gone off. Riley is 13 now and with that comes uncontrollable waves of emotions as hormones race through our bodies. This is the age where we start to truly find ourselves.
The film takes place mostly while Riley is away at hockey camp with her two best friends. She finds herself having to make the decision if she wants to hang out with them, or the cool older girls. What follows is, put simply, a lot of emotions.
Inside Out 2 Is More Mature
As expected, there are some heavy topics covered in Inside Out 2. While it still dives into things like imagination, and there is a lot of fun to it, the emotions that come with puberty and growing up are more complicated than the core ones we saw in the first film.
Inside Out 2 relies on themes of growing up. Riley just turned 13 and she is more mature, therefore this movie is more mature. It is a good thing, because it allows an older audience to relate. Those who saw Inside Out 10 years ago, and are now older themselves.
This film proves that we need all of our emotions in order to be ourselves. There is no shame in feeling things and it is important to embrace all of who we are in order to love ourselves. Puberty is hard. Life is hard. But if we be ourselves, at least we can get by.
People Who Suffer From Anxiety Will Relate
Joy and Sadness were at the forefront of Inside Out, this time it is Anxiety and Joy. If you suffer from anxiety, in any way shape or form (as most of us do) this movie is going to hit hard for you. The way that anxiety is show is done extremely well. From her shaking to her imagining every worst possible result. Maya Hawke is phenomenal in the role. She captures this so well and I cannot imagine anyone else voicing this new emotion.
At the same time, all of the other emotions have their time to shine. Each and every one of them, old and new, are key in this film, and especially in the end message that is delivered to audiences.
Still Offers That Pixar Humor & Heart
While the topics are heavy, and there are a lot of feelings to be felt, the humor and heart that Pixar is so well known for is there too. Don’t worry, this movie isn’t going to have you feeling anxious the whole way through, it will have you smiling, laughing, and wanting to call up your best friends as well.
Inside Out 2 might feel like a therapy session to some, and trust me, that is a good thing. Most will come out of this movie knowing how to be whole again, knowing how to be themselves, and knowing how important mental health is.
Overall Thoughts
Inside Out 2 isn’t necessarily better than the first one, but it is a worthy sequel. While younger audiences will love the humor, stunning animation, and bright colors, older audiences will relate to the themes of dealing with anxiety.
The first act is brilliantly done. It is the perfect mix of humor and heart, allowing audiences of all ages to relate. The second act gets a tad messy, as it jumps back and forth between both sets of emotions, as well as what Riley is dealing with in the real world. The third act brings it home with an overwhelming wave of emotions. This is one of Pixar’s best.
Inside Out 2 is a movie that I wish I had when I was a tween / teen. It is going to help a lot of kids understand that what they are going through is normal. Stay through the credits for a fun scene, and be sure to have tissues on hand — that third act is going to get you.
NEXT: Inside Out 2: Meet The Emotions (New & Returning)
About Inside Out 2
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as Headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment show up.
The voice cast includes Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, Lilimar, Grace Lu, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Walter Hauser and Yvette Nicole Brown. “Inside Out 2” is directed by Kelsey Mann, produced by Mark Nielsen and executive produced by Pete Docter, Jonas Rivera and Dan Scanlon. The film features a screenplay by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein and story by Mann and LeFauve.
