An Emotional Odyssey — Inside Out 2
Change comes to everyone. Inside Out 2, released on June 12th, portrays the story of Riley, going through a change called puberty. The whirlwind of emotions and physical changes brought by adolescence leaves Riley utterly confused. Is growing up always this painful? Dive inside Riley’s mind with the Sungkyun Times (SKT) and join the emotions on a journey to discover the new Riley.
Discovering Inside Out 2
-A Movie About Change
Inside Out 2 continues the story from the beloved original film Inside Out, where the audience first meets Riley and the emotions that guide her life, personified within her mind. The first movie, released in 2015, captivated audiences with its unique portrayal of the emotional struggles of an 11-year-old girl, grossing over $857 million worldwide. Directed by Kelsey Mann, the new film brings a fresh perspective to Riley’s evolving emotional landscape, replacing the director of Inside Out, Pete Docter. Additionally, the voice cast features returning stars such as Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith, who voiced Joy and Sadness in the previous film, along with new talents joining the ensemble. The movie takes us on a new journey as Riley enters her teenage years, portraying the story of change. As Riley’s inner world changes, the emotional complexity increases as new emotions are introduced, reflecting adolescence’s more nuanced and challenging experiences. The sequel dives deeper into the themes of identity, friendship, and the struggles of growing up. This story will resonate with everyone who has felt the frustration and confusion that comes with age. Inside Out 2 surpassed 3 million admissions within eleven days of its release, seven days faster than the original Inside Out.
-Synopsis (*Spoiler Alert)
Riley has turned 13 and is now officially a teenager. She grapples with adolescent complexities while passionately pursuing her dream of excelling in ice hockey. Inside her mind, her longtime emotions — Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear — are suddenly joined by new members: Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy. As Riley faces an important hockey trial, these newcomers throw the emotional control center into chaos, especially Anxiety, who, prone to overreacting, consistently predicts doom. Amidst these chaotic situations, Riley must juggle keeping her friendship intact and achieving her dream goal. Will Riley’s emotions be able to work in harmony to successfully get her into the hockey team?
Good and Bad, Inside and Outside
-Right Side In
Inside Out 2 explores how different emotions interact and influence one another as people age. For example, Anxiety and Envy are portrayed as emotions that can spur personal growth and self-reflection when understood and managed appropriately. The film’s nuanced portrayal of these emotional dynamics offers viewers a richer understanding of their emotional lives. It reinforces the idea that all emotions, even the difficult ones, have value and purpose. Additionally, Inside Out 2 skillfully addresses the emotional complexities of growing older, illustrating that Joy often becomes more subtle with age while emotions like Anxiety and Envy grow more prominent. This narrative shift resonates deeply with adult audiences, offering poignant reminders that experiencing failure and change is a natural part of life. Another interesting aspect of the film is its choice to focus on the emotional journey. Notably, the film chooses to keep the outcome of Riley’s ice hockey trials private, leaving audiences to focus on the journey rather than the destination. This decision underlines the movie’s overarching message: life’s value is found in living through the experiences, not merely in the outcomes achieved.
-Bad Side Out
While Inside Out 2 is praised for its vivid portrayal of emotional evolution, some critics expressed disappointment for the film because of its cliché storyline. Like its previous episode, Inside Out, which focused significantly on Sadness as the lone negative emotion, this sequel seems to repeat a similar narrative pattern by focusing on the “bad emotion equals anxiety, and Joy saves the day again” formula. Peter Bradshaw, a movie critic from The Guardian, commented that the movie was convoluted and repetitive. The film primarily revolves around the struggle and eventual acceptance of negative emotions, a repetition that forces a somewhat contrived message of happiness. This approach has led to concerns that the film, despite its creative merits, over-simplifies the complex nature of real emotional experiences by pushing a resolution that leans heavily towards obligatory positivity, potentially overshadowing the genuine and often messy nature of personal growth and emotional reconciliation.
Resonate with Inside Out 2
Do you know how hard it is to stay positive all the time?
Maybe this is what happens when you grow up, you feel less joy…