Summer Movie Review: Inside Out

Disney Pixar’s summer release, Inside Out, is possibly the most important children’s film in recent years. Dealing with the internal struggle of a girl named Riley (Kaitlin Dias), the film explores the nature of individual emotions (voiced by stars like Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Richard Kind and Lewis Black) and their roles in childhood development, especially those feelings usually considered negative.

Inside Out personifies joy, sadness, anger, disgust and fear – all majorly important components of the human psyche – and shows how they interact within Riley’s mind. Joy takes a leadership role, with appropriate support from the other emotions when necessary. But, until Riley’s life is uprooted and her family moves across the country, none of them is sure of sadness’ purpose.

By acknowledging the fact that sadness is just as important as happiness, this movie says “it’s okay to feel sad sometimes” as well as Mr. Rogers ever could have. Moreover, Inside Out recognizes that the symptoms of depression are more than “feeling sad,” and shows that even children can experience psychological conditions usually thought to be adult problems. Disney impressed me with this tear-jerking, feel-good family film. Its wonderful imagery and masterful ability to make the viewer feel, paired with an overall message important for people of all ages elicits, from me, five out of five stars.


 

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About the Author

Sam Smith
The Beacon - Editor-in-Chief