Review of Inside Out (2015) by Foxgrove — 25 Jul 2015

A dazzlingly sublime idea is executed with rare consummate skill. The film takes us inside the head of a young pre- pubescent girl and, more specifically, her emotions; joy, fear, sadness, disgust and anger. In so doing it unlocks a world that one would have been hard pressed to imagine. Although possibly too complex for very young children they will never the less engage with the colourful and likeable characters. Adults, however, will love it and gaze in awe and wonder as a story and screenplay unfolds that exudes intelligence and imagination. Even pathos gets a genuine look in here which is not often the case in animated films where emotions are often overly manipulated and almost forced out of you. The whole thing is just jaw droppingly hypnotic and provides a definite upward swing in animations fortunes where the offerings of the last couple of years have, generally, been pretty dismal.

Supporting this little gem is an even smaller one, an approximately seven minute short called ‘Lava’. The story, completely told via a lovely and witty little ballad about a lonely volcano, is just delightful.