Vertigo

Vertigo
Vertigo

Thursday, June 27, 2024

INSIDE OUT 2 and Its Tangle of Youthful Emotions

Inside Out was a shining adventure of a young girl’s early emotions, whereas Inside Out 2 takes this further with an older girl, and the results are just as compelling and funny as before

Riley is growing up yearning to fit in at school, and wanting to join the girls’ hockey team.  The original group of emotions, Joy (wonderful Amy Poehler), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear, Disgust, and Sadness are finding her puberty a huge challenge which means calling on new, sophisticated emotions to help including Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui (boredom).  Desperate to join the hockey team, Riley is willing to sacrifice her values and maybe her closest friends.  In the meantime, the original emotions, imprisoned by their newer counterparts, know that the key is to find and retrieve Riley’s true self so she can be who she is meant to be.  In the end, teamwork and staying true to oneself might save the day despite overwhelming obstacles. 

What is fascinating is that each person including Riley’s parents have their own set of emotions with some variations, and, in fact, there are so many emotions and sidebars going on, it does become a bit confusing.  What all the emotions learn is that you have to take the good memories and the bad ones together; you cannot try to delete the negative thoughts. Each emotion has an important role to play. 

Imaginative characters and colorful animation enhance an already engrossing storyline, and yes, this builds to a tear inducing moment that is well earned.  This heartwarming tale is a winner from start to finish and leaves open the possibility of more emotions to be explored as Riley grows older.  Fans won’t be disappointed.  (There is one post credit scene.)

***** of ***** stars 

 

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