Review: Inside Out 2 Is a Must-Watch for Adults Everywhere

(SPOT.ph) With films as well-loved as Inside Out, critics are often tough and hard to please regarding their sequels. Having an equally successful sequel is rare, but surpassing it is an entire feat. So you would think, when news broke that Inside Out 2 managed to record for the biggest opening day of all time for an animated film in the Philippines, you'd think we'd be surprised. But TBH, after seeing the flick and how it resonated with us on every level—we ugly cried the entire time— we're surprised it didn't do more. Why? Well, here are all our feelings about Inside Out 2.

Trigger Warning: An extremely emotional millennial is coming through.

Also read: Inside Out 2 Is Introducing a Character We Know All Too Well

Here's what to expect from Inside Out 2:

By now, you'd already know what's up with Inside Out 2. But ICYMI, Riley (Kensington Tallman) is growing up. Following the events of the first movie, Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Disgust (Liza Lapira, replacing Mindy Kaling), Fear (Tony Hale, replacing Bill Hader), and Anger (Lewis Black) are all co-existing in Riley's mind in perfect harmony. They've (and us too) collectively learned that there are no bad emotions, so they're now working together, each playing to their strengths with Joy taking the lead. However, as Riley becomes a full-fledged teenager, something goes awry, and their entire smooth operation is upended when new emotions are added to the mix.

Big changes and new emotions in Inside Out 2:

It's a fact that life becomes more complicated as we age, and puberty is the height of these changes. As you know, Inside Out 2 welcomes a whole slew of new characters to represent changes in Riley. We get new emotions like the big, pink, cuddly giant that is  Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), the tiny almond-shaped Envy (Ayo Edibiri),  the eternally bored and checked-out Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and perhaps the most relatable of all, wide-eyed troll Anxiety (Maya Hawke). 

But more than just new characters, we're also given new places in Riley's mind to explore, such as the vaults where her deepest darkest secrets are kept, the back of the mind, and the sar-chasm. 

All that pales compared to the all-too-important belief system tree growing out of the stream of consciousness. In the first few minutes, we discover that this is the true star of Inside Out 2, emphasized by its ominous glow that tells audiences, "Hey, I'm important."

What we think of Inside Out 2:

Where the first film spent a chunk of its time showing off the deep recesses of the mind, Inside Out 2 provides a mix of the familiar outside world and new "punny" spaces in the mind. We see Riley interact with new characters like her best friends, hockey teammates, teachers, and more outside her familial unit. Watching Inside Out 2 may not be as magical as being introduced to the beauty of Riley's consciousness in the first movie, but it still packs the usual Pixar animation magic.  Color and child-like imagery are maximized to show a simplified view of our psyche. But, much to the disappointment of kids everywhere, this is about as much as anyone under the age of 16 will get out of the movie. Everything beyond this point will just go over their heads—maybe for the better.

Inside Out 2 deals with a more complex narrative. One that transcends your usual teenage angst. More than about the struggles of puberty like acne, boys, and fitting in, it talks about developing our sense of self or that undeniable je ne sais quoi that makes us unique.  As explained by Joy to the audiences, our ragtag team of emotions not only controls how Riley reacts to everyday situations, but these emotional reactions ultimately form her sense of being, which serves as the backbone for her everyday interactions and decision-making. It poses the question, "How do we stay true to ourselves amidst everything happening around us," specifically for this flick, what happens when a rogue emotion like Anxiety takes over? 

It would've been easy to paint Anxiety as a negative emotion—one that we need to push down, fight, or completely eliminate—but as any psychologist would tell you, there are no bad emotions. Inside Out 2 paints a beautiful representation of this concept. Case in point: when we first meet Anxiety, she is shown as a helpful plan-oriented emotion that helps give Riley foresight. She grounds the over-optimistic, childish Joy and introduces her to long-term consequences. But as in the real world,  Anxiety left unchecked is never a good thing. 

As someone who has dealt with a crippling case of anxiety and debilitating self-doubt, this film made me feel seen. Most media would portray anxiety as panic attacks and rocking back and forth to calm down, but Inside Out 2 isn't like that. In this movie, you get an accurate representation of the intrusive thoughts, the late-night mental gymnastics, the emotional breakdowns, and the overwhelming rush of negative emotions and memories, but it doesn't stop there. It also subtly tells you how to heal and deal with your attacks. It shows you, in more ways than one, that too much or too little of anything is bad for you and, thus, paints mental health and self-awareness as a never-ending balancing act between your emotions and sense of self—of fighting and choosing to find the joy and calm amidst the storm of your mind. 

With more than 12 million Filipinos diagnosed with mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, it's no surprise Inside Out 2 has struck a chord with Filipinos. We don't expect kids to understand this struggle—nor should they have to. This is why this movie isn't really just for kids; it's for anyone who has ever had to fight an internal battle with themselves. Inside Out 2 is a P400-therapy session worth a watch for anyone struggling. It won't solve all your problems, but it'll send you on the right path toward healing and understanding your mind.

Rating: 5 out of 5 spots

P.S.: Stay until the end. There's a post-credits scene. 

Check out our review of the first Inside Out movie: MOVIE REVIEW: Inside Out

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