'Inside Out 2' Review: A Sequel That Falls Short of Its Predecessor

Joy and Anxiety clash over Riley's Sense of Self in an energetic scene from Inside Out 2.

Pixar Animation Studios navigates a complex relationship with sequels, akin to its parent company, the Walt Disney Company. While sequels to their beloved animated classics often fund new original projects, critics sometimes perceive these continuations as a compromise in quality compared to their predecessors. The challenge lies in Pixar's steadfast commitment to unparalleled creativity and originality in films like Toy Story, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, WALL-E, Ratatouille, and Up, which have become cultural landmarks. Yet, this very commitment sets a daunting standard for Pixar's sequels and prequels, placing them under immense pressure to match the legendary status established within their own studio and the broader animation and film industries.

While Pixar sequels often face the daunting task of living up to their predecessors' magic, they are not without their own merits. Films like the Toy Story franchise, Monsters University, Finding Dory, and The Incredibles 2 offer plenty of poignant, humorous, and impactful moments, even if they may not entirely replicate the original's charm. Enter Inside Out 2, continuing Pete Docter's exploration of emotions through Riley's mind, following his influential work on Monsters Inc., Up, and Soul as Pixar's Chief Creative Officer.

Amidst a landscape marked by sequels, Inside Out 2 arrives at a crucial juncture for Pixar, hinting at future ventures into familiar IP, according to Bloomberg. While enjoyable, this sequel underscores the challenge of matching the creativity and emotional depth of its predecessor.

New emotions, including Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment, take over Riley's mind in Inside Out 2.

Directed by Kelsey Mann in his feature debut and written by Mann, Meg LeFauve, and Dave Holstein (with Pete Docter returning as executive producer), Inside Out 2 continues the journey of the emotions residing in Riley’s mind. Now a 13-year-old navigating the challenges of high school, Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman) faces significant upheavals, leading to turmoil in her emotional headquarters for Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira). Adding to the chaos, Riley's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andersen (voiced by Kyle MacLachlan and Diane Lane), enroll her in a summer hockey camp where she must impress her school's popular hockey player, Valentina “Val” Ortiz (voiced by Lilimar), all while maintaining friendships with Bree (voiced by Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green) and Grace (voiced by Grace Lu).

In Inside Out 2, brand-new emotions move into Riley's mind, bringing with them an orange-colored console that replaces the old purple one, effectively sidelining Joy and her original team. The new group is led by Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, an orange and hyperactive character obsessed with every possible bad scenario Riley might encounter. This character's role seems to overlap with that of Fear from the first movie, further complicating the already intricate workings of Riley’s inner world.

Joining Anxiety are Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser). Their functions are somewhat ambiguous; Envy appears to be a sidekick to Anxiety, Ennui sporadically takes control when Riley feigns coolness, and Embarrassment's primary role is to make Riley blush. Despite their presence, these new emotions largely feel like secondary characters, with Anxiety taking the spotlight.

Maya Hawke delivers a standout performance, infusing Anxiety with vibrant energy and a toothy grin that drives the plot by amplifying Riley’s doubts and insecurities. As Anxiety takes control, Joy and the others find themselves pushed aside, highlighting the turbulent changes Riley is undergoing.

 Joy and Sadness explore Riley's personal belief system in a vibrant, imaginative scene from Inside Out 2.

Inside Out 2 brings back the delightful slapstick humor and Muppet-like designs that made the original so endearing. With a rapid yet well-paced narrative and a wealth of solid jokes, this Pixar sequel captures some of the imaginative spark of its predecessor. The introduction of Riley’s personal belief system, stream of consciousness, "sarchasms," and other creative gags further enhances the movie's impressive world-building.

The central conflict between Joy and Anxiety over Riley’s "Sense of Self" is the film's standout aspect, presenting a compelling struggle over whether Riley can remain true to herself amidst the pressures of puberty and social dynamics. This concept feels like a natural evolution from the original film and resonates with its core ethos. The visual representation of Riley’s Sense of Self is particularly stunning.

However, Inside Out 2 falls short of fully exploring the complexities of teenage life. While it focuses on Riley's emotional and mental changes rather than physical ones, it seems to tiptoe around the more challenging aspects of adolescence. This cautious approach makes the film feel less impactful than other coming-of-age stories like Eighth Grade and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The sequel doesn't quite grow with its original audience, playing it too safe with Riley's struggles and lacking the raw honesty of other films dealing with this age group.

Additionally, Inside Out 2 misses the parental perspective that added depth to the original movie. Without this element, the story isn't as compelling, and the emotional beats don’t hit as hard. Despite its strengths, Inside Out 2 ultimately feels like it doesn’t fully capitalize on the opportunity to delve deeply into the mind of a teenager.

Inside Out 2 is certainly effective and entertaining in its own right, though it just shows how far Pixar still has to go if they really want to complete the challenge of surpassing rather than just rehashing themselves in the years to come.

⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5

Inside Out 2 hits theaters on June 14!

Release Date: June 14, 2024
Directed by: Kelsey Mann
Screenplay by: Meg LeFauve & Dave Holstein
Story by: Kelsey Mann & Meg LeFauve
Produced by: Mark Nielsen
Main Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, Kensington Tallman, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Lilimar, Paula Pell, Pete Docter, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, Grace Lu, Yvette Nicole Brown, John Ratzenberger, June Squibb, Ron Funches, & Yong Yea
Cinematographers: Adam Habib & Jonathan Pytko
Composer: Andrea Datzman
Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Runtime: 96 minutes
Rated: PG