Pixar’s latest venture, Inside Out 2, introduces Riley as she hits puberty, facing a whirlwind of new emotions like Anxiety, Embarrassment, and Ennui. Nearly a decade since the original captivated audiences worldwide, the sequel is set to make history with a predicted box office opening of $140M-$150M in the U.S., approaching near-record levels for Pixar.
New Emotions Take Center Stage
The anthropomorphized characters have stolen our hearts once again. This time the focus is on new intense emotions like Anxiety and Embarrassment, who take control of Riley’s mind as she transitions into her teenage years. Pete Docter, co-writer and co-director of Inside Out, noted, It’s because they can anticipate more things that could go wrong.
Resonating With Former Fans
Many now-teenagers who saw Inside Out when it debuted in 2015 feel a deeper connection with Riley’s struggles in the sequel. José, a ninth-grader from New Jersey, revealed how watching the film again as he grew older changed his perspective. He shared, Six-year-old me thought people were inside my head… She needed to let out her feelings.
A Clinical Perspective
Clinical social worker Kristi Zybulewski celebrates how Inside Out offers an emotional vocabulary for kids. She acknowledged how crucial the films are in teaching emotional intelligence and navigating complex emotions. Echoing this sentiment, Lisa Damour emphasized that understanding emotions can make us better humans.
Bottled Up Emotions
The sequel takes a daring turn with Anxiety bottling up characters like Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust into ‘suppressed emotions’. This dramatic shift showcases just how tumultuous Riley’s journey through puberty really is. These developments offer valuable insights into the importance of acknowledging and understanding one’s feelings.
From Childhood to Teen Years
The story arc follows Riley transitioning from an 11-year-old to a full-fledged teenager at 13 years old, facing various situational and emotional conflicts. Moments from her life lay bare the raw intricacies of adolescence.
This portrayal is not just expected to resonate with kids who have grown up since the first movie but also appeal to a broader audience grappling with similar emotional upheavals.
A Complex Emotional Landscape
The illustrations of complex emotions like Joy, Sadness, Anger, and Disgust converge brilliantly to offer valuable lessons about emotional intelligence. A key moment from the movie reminds us through Bing Bong’s words, We were going to go to the moon.
This thoughtful narrative trajectory is poised to not only capture but also challenge its audience over the opening weekend. As anticipation builds, fans both old and new eagerly await what may become one of Pixar’s most successful releases yet.
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