Kiddo wanted to watch Inside Out 2 with friends this weekend, but their plan did not materialize. We parents got elevated to the friend category and ended up watching it with her. And what a supremely mind-blowing experience it was - literally and figuratively :)
Its the sequel to its predecessor that was released almost a decade ago. All the action happens at the 'Headquarters' which is the hi-tech mind of a girl named Riley. Five basic emotions were introduced in the first instalment, and a fresh set of emotions are added in this new one, as Riley turns a teenager. All hell literally breaks loose in her head with the onset of puberty.
Pixar being the brand it is, the technology and special effects are simply out of this world! But the concept itself is explained so articulately, and it is relatable not only to adults in general, but also to adults grappling with the avalanche of teenage mood swings and deep dark secrets. While in the first film, Sadness battles it out with the pervasive Joy in the child's life; in this second film, Joy is pitted against Anxiety. In today's time, anxiety is the overwhelming emotion across ALL age groups, and hence, the movie is a must-watch to understand the effect of anxiety and regulate one's emotional balance.
The pictorial representation of how all experiences, and emotions attached to them, form our 'Self', is awe-inspiring. Every memory is important in shaping the same - not just the ones we choose to retain. How Anxiety, aided by Envy and Embarrassment, leads Riley to become more ambitious and calculating, how they bottle up and banish all other emotions into the deep recesses of the mind such that the original sense of self is lost and a new one starts emerging, are captured magnificently through plot, imagery and dialogue. The visual portrayal of 'sarcasm', 'brainstorm' and 'stream of consciousness' render one speechless! It also brings out the importance of each emotion in our life and teaches us to embrace them without shame, e.g. Fear helps us think of Plan B in an emergency and Anxiety may be trying to help us only, while too much Joy may be misleading. Kudos to the creative team for pulling off this masterpiece!
The message toward the end is that every individual has the free will to choose the primary emotion(Joy, in this case), and create his/her own sense of self. Thus, its an introduction to self-awareness, emotional regulation and healing. There is plenty of scope for yet another sequel, as 'Nostalgia' peeped out twice but was pushed back in. And the emotional stalwarts viz. Love, Hate, Ego, Courage etc. are not yet introduced.
A must-watch for all who relish a visual treat, are intrigued by psychology, and looking for answers to a stress-free life. Kiddo definitely enjoyed it thoroughly, as did I.
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