Pixar and Disney’s “Inside Out” Will Turn Your Emotions Inside Out!

Last week I had the chance to grab a sneak preview of Pixar and Disney’s new animated film “Inside Out.”  I took my five year old nephew and we grabbed our 3D glasses (his first 3D film) excited to check out Pixar’s newest movie.

As usual there was a wonderful short film before the feature.  In this case it’s called “Lava” and kind of sets the tone for the more adult than usual film to follow.  It was fun watching my nephew experiment with his glasses.  He spent the first three minutes flipping them up and down his nose looking at the difference between the 3D glasses and the screen.

This One’s For The Girls (FINALLY)

So first of all I would like to say it’s nice to see Pixar stepping up lately with female leads in their films.  Of the 14 films they have made only two had main characters that were female (the other is Brave).  In this case the entire story centers around the emotions inside the mind of an 11 year old, hockey playing, super fun girl named Riley.  She and her family have a wonderful life in Minnesota and then move to San Francisco for her father’s new job.  The result is a cacophony of feelings never experienced by the emotions in her mind- Joy, Sadness (the BEST character in the film), Anger, Disgust and Fear.  As Riley adjusts to her new life on the outside her emotions adjust to her new life on the inside.  Plus on the edge of becoming a young woman her emotions are much more complex then she is accustomed to.

While there is nothing in this film that will turn off the men (both young and old) in your life it’s just nice to see a young girl getting some screen time.  The guys in the audience were laughing just as much as I was.  And the truth is, growing up is hard and confusing no matter what sex you are.

Yes You Will Cry

I would like to point out that at some time in my life I would like to get through a Pixar movie without crying.  Though it was not the weep fest I experienced sitting alone in my living room watching the first 15 minutes of “Up” the guy next to me in the theatre said he was tempted to go get me some tissue.

I’m not a mom but I love my nieces and nephews the way that only a childless aunt is able.  When I am with them I take great pleasure in giving them as much of my attention as I can knowing that when I leave I can go home and sleep in my quiet house. Watching them grow up is one of the greatest joys in my life (my sis and BIL get alot of credit for them being so amazing).

This movie is a reminder to every adult who watches it how fast that time goes by.  Of that struggle between wanting them to be more independent but also wanting to protect them from the heart ache that comes with age and experience.  There is no experience like loving a child who returns that same love.

This Movie is Made To Experience With Your (Older) Kids

Other than The Incredibles I feel like this Pixar film has a broader appeal than any other I have seen.  (I want to be watching The Incredibles when I am 80).  The story is aimed at a slightly older age of pre-teen and early-teen, but with the same story telling and inside jokes that make the adults in the room enjoy it.

But, like Brave, this is a story you are meant to enjoy WITH your kids.  A shared experience designed to help kids understand adults and adults understand kids.  I don’t think my nephew really understood most of what was going on and in talking to him about it on the drive home I am certain other than basic plot points he missed the finely woven themes and story underneath. Five might be a bit too young for this one.  My friends with 8 and 9 year old kids said the movie lead to some very deep discussion in the car on the way home.  (Be ready to answer the question “what is puberty?”)

“Inside Out” is a GREAT movie.  But it is very emotional (think how you felt watching “Toy Story”) so be ready for some conversation later once the wheels have stopped churning.  It easily can be added to the list of Pixar Classics and I predict it will end up in many video collections!