Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Pixar's Inside Out is a legitimate Best Picture contender.

Inside Out
Movie Review by Brian Wezowicz



It wouldn't be accurate to say that Pixar is back with Inside Out.  I don't think they ever really left.  Even some of their more disappointing films (and I use that term loosely), like Brave and Cars, were still wildly entertaining visual marvels.  They may not have been Pixar's best, but they were worth the price of admission.  I will say that Pixar has delivered its most emotionally satisfying (pun intended) movie in years.  Inside Out is a legitimate best picture nominee (if only people would get over their aversion to considering an animated film for best picture) filled with wonderful performances that will have you reaching for the tissues (in a good way).

Have you ever wondered what's going on in your mind?  Me too.  Thanks to Inside Out, you get a surprisingly accurate, albeit highly exaggerated explanation for why we react the way we do.  It also delves deeper into the importance of family, memories and friendship, and their impact on forming core memories.

The best part of this movie is the stellar voice cast. Amy Poehler shines as Joy, the leader of the team of emotions.  She is convinced that being happy all the time is the way to a perfect life.  Phyllis Smith (You know her as Phyllis Vance on The Office) steals the show as Sadness, the Eeyore of the bunch.  Her idea of a fun memory is "remember that movie where the dog died?".  She is the perfect counter point to Poehler's Joy.  Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, and the always hilarious Lewis Black round out the cast as Fear, Disgust, and Anger.  Seeing them work together to show the entire spectrum of human emotion is truly a treat to behold.

This film teaches us of the importance of indulging in our emotions.  You can't just be happy all of the time.  It's important for us to feel sad and angry and fearful and disgusted.  These emotions make us who we are as people.  I don't want to spoil the plot too much because you should really stop reading this and head to your local theater.  I can't wait to buy this movie and watch it with my family over and over again.

I'm giving this movie 4 out of 4 stars.  It may be a cartoon, but you won't see a more human movie all year.

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