Inside Out (Animation) (2015)

Disney Pixar, should do something really special for Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen for coming up with a concept like Inside Out – something like a lifetime retainer.  Docter made Up in 2009 but first time director, Carmen, does not have too much to catch up with from the looks of it.

Inside Out is by far, the animation movie of the year 2015 – unless we have something more dramatic in store for us in the 6 months to come. As always, Pixar precedes the movie with an animated short called LAVA that makes you go “Awwww”.  It is just the beginning of several such “Awwww” moments over the 90 minutes that follow.  LAVA just adds 7 minutes of “Awwww”.

Inside Out personifies five emotions that are experienced by children – Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black) and Disgust (Mindy Kaling).  Come to think of it, aren’t all of our emotions, offshoots of these core emotions? Never really thought of it that way but I guess it isn’t too far from the truth.

So Joy is the first emotion in Riley’s (Kaitlyn Dias) mind – at birth.  Over the next few days, the epicenter of emotions i.e. Headquarters, the other 4 manifest themselves.  No points for guessing that Joy is the defacto leader of the pack (it’s a Disney movie – you have to be happy).  And so long as she is in command – all will be well.  But when she gets sucked out of HQ with Riley’s “Core Memories”, all hell breaks loose.

I predict that Inside Out will be used as an essential learning tool in schools for children.  I have never seen a better break down of the human brain and how things work inside.  I can guarantee that every single one of the 40 odd reviewers who were part of the P Show had a smile on their faces when they left the auditorium.

Docter and Carmen get awesome new characters such as Bing Bong (Richard Kind) which is a cross between an elephant, a cat and a dolphin – I guarantee that merchandise sales for Bing Bong will surpass all previous records.  If the characters don’t strike a chord, there are some fabulous dialogues and weaving in exciting concepts like DEFCON 2 and personification of a Train of thought.

There is enough and more to look forward to with Inside Out.  And it is not just meant for the kids.  The end credits sign off with a dedication – Dedicated to our kids. Please don’t grow up – Nothing can capture the spirit of Inside Out better. For those who thought that Frozen was the best Disney could get – welcome to the wonderful world of Inside Out.  8.5 on 10. DO NOT MISS.  DON’T FORGET TO TAKE ALL AT HOME WITH YOU.

Watch the trailer on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY