‘Inside Out 2’ Review | Envy, Anxiety, and Embarrassment Introduced as Riley Faces the Turbulence of Puberty
"Inside Out 2" returns with new emotions like Envy, Embarrassment, and Anxiety, as Riley confronts puberty's challenges in a whirlwind of emotional upheaval. We discuss it here!
By: Eboné Chatman
Inside Out is back, and not only are all of Riley’s original emotions returning, but we also have three new ones joining the crew: Envy, Embarrassment, and the troublemaker herself, Anxiety, as Riley navigates puberty.
The movie explores what a typical teenager might experience as they approach adulthood. Riley (Kensington Tallman) is now 13 years old, and headquarters is working overtime to manage all her emotions.
The big red siren sounds off, indicating the start of puberty, and headquarters is immediately under construction as renovation workers tear down walls and install a new console to accommodate Riley’s adolescent feelings. Her original emotions—Anger (Lewis Black), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Tony Hale), Disgust (Liza Lapira), and Joy (Amy Poehler)—become “suppressed emotions” and get pushed to the back of the mind along with her original “Sense of Self” as Riley’s new emotions push them out of headquarters and take over. The original emotions work hard throughout the movie to get back to headquarters to help Riley keep her “Sense of Self” intact, as this affects how she thinks about herself and treats others.
The film’s director, Pixar animation veteran Kelsey Mann (making his feature filmmaking debut), and the screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein, build on the earlier film’s whimsical, imaginative idea of how thoughts, memories, and emotional expression are stored and displayed in the mind. This second movie puts us right back on the emotional roller coaster.
The new crew of feelings are full of wit and bring an element of relatability to the new emotions that we all dealt with as teenagers and still contend with as adults: self-doubt, questionable decision-making, balancing feelings, and the drive to do your best, no matter what—but what is too far?
Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Ennui (“boredom,” voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos), and of course the star of the movie, Anxiety (Maya Hawke), have a lot of work to do to get Riley to the next step in life, as this is her last summer before high school. Riley just led her middle-school hockey team to the championships and is about to spend three days at hockey camp. But she’s thrown for a loop when she learns that her two best friends, Bree (Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green) and Grace (Grace Lu), won’t be attending the same high school as her. Riley struggles with wanting to make her future high school hockey team, the Fire Hawks, as the team’s coach runs the camp. This was her time to shine and show the coach she was worthy of making the team. However, this is just the beginning of the hard decisions the young teen will have to make throughout the movie.
At hockey camp, Riley thinks she needs to impress Valentina and the team’s other “cool kids,” no matter the cost. She mistakenly believes her two best friends are abandoning her, as they are both attending the same high school without Riley. This idea becomes the first defining moment of grown-up decision-making, as she begins to have tunnel vision about making the team and leaving her friends behind. Anxiety is the one driving the switchboard on this one!
Inside Out 2 | Official Trailer
As we all know, anxiety can take over at times, and mixing that with a little bit of fear can give us a false sense of self. This is exactly what Riley experiences as Anxiety takes over and pushes Riley to ignore her friends to hang out with the “cool kids,” choose friends over family, sneak into the coach's office, and ultimately crash her sense of self. This is WAR, as all the emotions are fighting to see who is better suited to take control of the switchboard of emotions. In the end, it’s realized that a balance of all the emotions is needed to create the complex people we all grow into.
“Inside Out 2” explores the desire to fit in and to be validated by Cool Culture, which seems to be our collective seal of approval for success. The movie captures early adolescence perfectly, as the growth between middle school and high school is drastic, with emotions, feelings, and thoughts changing at a rapid pace.
This is a winner in my book for Pixar, finding the sweet spot that merges the gaze of children and adults. The movie is really about all the small choices we make that shape our personalities and solidify our sense of self. We are left with a great cliffhanger, and I’m excited to see how they continue this storyline of young adulthood.
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'Why Did I Get Married' Turns 16
On this day sixteen years ago, the cinematic classic Why Did I Get Married hit theaters, taking us on an unforgettable journey into the complexities of modern-day relationships. We discuss it here!
On this day sixteen years ago, October 12, 2007 the cinematic classic Why Did I Get Married hit theaters, taking us on an unforgettable journey into the complexities of modern-day relationships. Written, produced, directed, and starring the multifaceted Tyler Perry, this film unravels the lives of four enduring Black couples who have been the closest of friends since their college days. They gather in the serene mountains for a retreat, hoping to mend their marital woes and rediscover the reasons that led them to say "I do."
The movie's portrayal of the challenges these couples face struck a chord with a wide audience, resonating so deeply that it claimed the number one spot at the box office that weekend. As we revisit this cinematic gem today, let's get into the details that made Why Did I Get Married an unforgettable experience.
Tasha Smith, Janet Jackson, and Sharon Leal Star in Why Did I Get Married
The film’s eclectic cast leaves a lasting impression. Notably, Jill Scott delivers a powerful performance as a softer woman dealing with her unfaithful husband, while Tasha Smith injects humor and life into the narrative. The chemistry among the cast members is undeniable, adding authenticity to the story despite the occasional feeling of a staged performance. But can it really feel staged with Janet Jackson, Richard T. Jones, Sharon Leal, Michael White, and Malik Yoba doing their best work?
The impact of Why Did I Get Married was so profound that it warranted a sequel, Why Did I Get Married Too, in 2010. This follow-up further explored the lives of these beloved characters, giving us even more reason to reminisce about the connections we formed with them.
Tyler Perry's work rarely meets the approval of critics, but it undeniably resonates with its target urban audience. With most of his films consistently hitting the $50 million mark, Perry's status as a filmmaker speaks for itself. He continues to stand on solid ground in the industry, promising more heartwarming stories to come. In fact, rumors are swirling about a third installment in the Why Did I Get Married series. Rest assured, we'll all be eagerly watching, as Perry's work has become a part of our go-to for comfort flicks.
As we look back on the release of Why Did I Get Married on this memorable day, let's not only remember the film but also the conversations it sparked, the emotions it evoked, and the bonds it helped create among friends and families. Whether you're planning a movie night to relive this classic or discussing it with friends, let the legacy of this film continue to inspire, entertain, and remind us of the enduring power of love and friendship in the face of life's challenges.
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Meet Eboné Chatman, Producer & Media Correspondent for 247 Live Culture!