Do you remember being a 13-year-old? Yeah, I try not to think about it either.
But do you remember the emotions you felt when you were that age? The rage you felt when your mom wouldn’t let you wear what you wanted, the sadness when your best friend became part of the “cool crowd” or how about the anxiety walking into the lunchroom on the first day of school? These emotions, with some new additions, are cheekily explained in the ultimate teenage guide, “Inside Out 2.”
For those who didn’t tune in to the original “Inside Out,” the movie follows these emotions as they work to ensure Riley, their human, lives a stable and happy life. When these emotions are thrown out of whack, so is Riley. “Inside Out” follows the early stages of Riley’s life and the challenges that come with growing up.
“Inside Out 2” begins as Riley turns 13. A tricky age, as many parents know, and the typical emotions inside her head are pushed to the side as Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy and Ennui make themselves at home. A well-oiled machine until now, the movie follows Riley as she embarks on a weekend hockey retreat with her new emotions and the old ones.
The new characters, like their original counterparts, are perfectly animated to match their emotion. “Inside Out” showed viewers the radiating happiness of joy and the droopy blue aura of sadness.
The newly introduced Anxiety, however, is bright orange with a wide nervous smile and hair pointed in every direction. Embarrassment, very large and blush-pink, tightened his hoodie to cover his face whenever the attention is on him. Ennui — or boredom — has a long bob, a French accent and is constantly lounging lazily on a nearby sofa, while Envy gushes over everything Riley admires.
These four new emotions battle the five old emotions, led by Joy, to control Riley and her actions as Anxiety works to reshape who Riley is. Trying to protect her from what is to come, Anxiety overthrows Joy and establishes new beliefs for Riley. These beliefs, unlike her previous ones centered around family and friends, are centered around winning, being popular and being scared. Riley’s old personality is sent to the back of her mind to make way for the new one Anxiety thinks she should have. Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust and Fear go on a treacherous journey to rescue the old Riley and set things right.
The theatre was abundant with parents, children and a few teenagers dressed head-to-toe in costume of the new emotions. “Inside Out 2” was full of colorful characters, outlandish settings and funny puns to keep every age group entertained.
Aside from being entertaining, the movie is also relatable for older viewers, particularly those who interact with teenagers. Anxiety is at the forefront of the control panel as Riley attempts to make friends with older hockey players and ends up taking control of all of Riley’s actions to save her from the bad possibilities. The core of Riley’s beliefs and who she is threatened by anxiety, something every viewer can relate to.
The movie is a great way to keep kids entertained for a summer afternoon and is also a perfect starter tool for parents to help explain to their children what puberty is, how their emotions will change and how they can cope. At one point in the film, Joy realizes that, as kids grow up, they experience less joy, and she will not be needed as much. As Riley develops, so do all her emotions, and everyone learns to adapt to the more complex version of her mind as she grows up.
Pixar movies are typically characterized as heart-wrenching, cute and hilarious wrapped into one. This movie is no exception. A full rainbow on the emotional spectrum, “Inside Out 2” is both the happiest and saddest animated movie of 2024.
For those being controlled by Ennui at home, Joy will happily take the reins as you watch “Inside Out 2” in theaters this summer.
Contact Staff Writer Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
