The creative minds behind “Inside Out 2” are eager to spark conversations about how people grapple with and process complex emotions. Producer Mark Nielsen emphasized the universal nature of these feelings, stating, “This movie is for anyone that has ever felt feelings. No matter what your age or gender, we all have these emotions. It’s what connects us as humans.”
“Inside Out 2,” set to hit theaters this Friday, is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2015 Oscar-winning film directed by Pete Docter. This time, Kelsey Mann takes the helm as director, continuing the story of Riley, who is now 13 and entering puberty. This new phase in her life brings a host of new emotions and challenges.
Amy Poehler returns as the voice of Joy, the yellow embodiment of happiness, while Phyllis Smith reprises her role as Sadness, the blue emotion. The sequel introduces new characters, including Maya Hawke as Anxiety, Ayo Edebiri as Envy, Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment, and Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui.
The film is expected to make a significant impact at the box office, with predictions suggesting it could open with at least $90 million in domestic sales. Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory, believes it has the potential to be the first film since last summer’s “Barbie” to surpass $100 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales during its opening weekend.
The movie industry has faced a slump due to last year’s writers and actors strikes, which delayed the release of several films. However, “Inside Out 2” is poised to break this trend.
Maya Hawke, who voices Anxiety, shared her personal connection to the role. “It’s not a crime to be irrational,” she said. “That’s thrown around at people so often, so cruelly. ‘You’re being irrational!’ It’s not a crime. I think it’s about awareness. I’m aware that I’m being irrational but I know it would help me do this thing. I know I don’t need my special blanky (blanket) to sleep but it helps me sleep so isn’t that okay to have it?”
Amy Poehler noted the importance of not repeating the same story as the first film. “Playing more serious scenes was a cool acting challenge,” she said.
Liza Lapira, who replaced Mindy Kaling as the voice of Disgust, highlighted the evolving nature of emotions. “These emotions are not good/bad. They are there as protectors, they are there to teach us,” she explained. “Envy, you know, points me in the direction of what I might want, and I don’t know that I want it, and it’s just manifesting as an envy. Fear obviously protects me, Disgust protects me, Anger can be righteous anger, standing up for what’s right against injustice. These emotions are not bad, they can instruct and inform us.”
The film delves into Riley’s personal struggles as she grows older, with a focus on mental health. “What you got are two major mental health films disguised as animations. I mean, that’s what it is and that to me also takes it to a different level,” said one of the filmmakers.
A few weeks ago, a preview of the first 30 minutes of “Inside Out 2” was shown at Pixar Headquarters. The film picks up right after the original, with Riley playing hockey with her friends. Her emotions—Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness—are in sync. However, as Riley starts a weekend hockey camp before high school, a demolition crew in her mind’s control room signals the onset of puberty, introducing new emotions like Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy.
The first act ends with Anxiety taking control, leaving the original emotions to find their way back to the console. The themes of the movie are expected to resonate deeply with teenagers, especially girls, but the universal nature of emotions ensures that everyone can relate.
Visually, “Inside Out 2” is stunning, benefiting from nearly a decade of advancements in animation technology. Riley looks like a teenager, complete with all the complexities that come with adolescence. The animation remains true to the original while incorporating modern enhancements.
Maya Hawke’s portrayal of Anxiety stands out, bringing a dynamic energy to the character. The other new emotions, voiced by Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Paul Walter Hauser, fit seamlessly into the story. Tony Hale and Liza Lapira also join the cast, taking over as Fear and Disgust, respectively. Amy Poehler continues to shine as Joy.
The filmmakers are confident that “Inside Out 2” will stand toe-to-toe with its predecessor while pushing the emotional boundaries even further. If this is Pixar’s first movie aimed at teenagers, it promises to be a compelling and relatable experience for all.
