Review of Inside Out (2015) by Jack S — 13 Aug 2017

(4 out of 4 stars) If there is one adjective to describe what I thought of this film, it would be IMAGINATIVE. There are many complex things going on inside our minds we don't completely realize, and the film finds a playful way to incorporate it into this world of animation (Like random, annoying commercials that stick in your head are there because workers in the brain keep sending them up to headquarters to broadcast).

I've noticed a trend with a handful of films that emphasize on the importance of ordinary moments and events in our lives and how the movies do not belittle these events like many movies from Hollywood, but express how important they really can be.

Jim Jarmusch's Paterson focused on finding beauty in ordinary things and appreciating them and Richard Linklater's Boyhood focused on important moments that are ordinary to everyone, but are key to shaping us into the people we become.

This film sort of has that aspect to it with the story of the girl character, Riley. Everything that happens to her in the movie is a big deal, but compared at the same level of many Hollywood films, like the overabundance of superhero movies, not much happens in this film on Riley's side of the story.

I love how this film rides on the importance on the emotions that we all have, and that a movie has the guts to say that what Riley goes through is a big deal, because IT IS! The animation is colorful and nice to look at.

The voice acting is wonderful as well, and of course, it's hilarious! There were one or two aspects that I was questioning throughout the film, but overall, it is a film that definitely can change the way you think about how your mind works.