Pixar's latest foray into the human psyche, "Inside Out 2," proves that even animated emotions can suffer from growing pains. This follow-up to the 2015 hit dives headfirst into the turbulent waters of adolescence, with all the subtlety of a hormone-fueled mood swing.
The film reunites us with Riley, now a teenager, and her internal emotional crew. New additions to the mental boardroom include Anxiety, voiced with jittery perfection by Maya Hawke, and an array of other feelings that seem to have sprung fully formed from a psychology textbook.
While the first film charmed with its novel concept, the sequel occasionally feels like it's trying too hard to be relevant. It's as if Pixar read a bunch of Gen Z tweets and decided to animate them. That said, when it works, it works well. The portrayal of a panic attack is particularly poignant, even if it risks turning the inside of a teenage girl's head into a PSA for mental health awareness.
Visually, the film is a triumph. Pixar's animators seem to have been given free rein to create a world that's part Dalí, part teenage bedroom, and entirely mesmerizing. It's almost enough to distract you from some of the more heavy-handed metaphors about personal growth and self-acceptance.
The voice cast delivers solid performances, with Amy Poehler's Joy remaining the standout. However, at times the emotional interplay feels more like a support group meeting than the chaotic command center of a teenage mind.
"Inside Out 2" is at its best when it balances humor with heart, but occasionally it veers into territory that feels more like a therapy session than entertainment. It's a film that wants to be both profoundly meaningful and wildly fun, and while it doesn't always succeed, it's an admirable attempt.
It's a worthy sequel that will likely resonate with its target audience, even if some viewers might find themselves wishing for a little less introspection and a little more action.
