Quickie review: Inside Out 2 (2024)

 

Inside Out 2 is one of the most delightful movies of 2024, and it's hard to not see why.

It's a movie that's bright, colorful, loaded with instantly lovable characters, a story that anyone who ever lived through the final five years of childhood - the teenage years (yes, 13-17 years old is considered part of childhood because no one is an adult yet until they turn 18) - can relate to, deep themes and light humor blended skillfully, and it's a feel-good movie overall - the kind of movie that we desperately need right now in today's demanding times.

Out of the four new emotions introduced in the movie, I loved Anxiety the most. I adored her Muppet-like design, and Maya Hawke delivers a really good performance.     

And oh my, the animation, hands-down, is awesome. It not only combines the full CGI animation that Pixar is known for, but it also combines other mediums, such as 2D animation and even stop-motion. It's very sweet to see Pixar step outside of their All-CGI comfort zone and try out new stuff. I would love to try and see Pixar go the Painted CGI route a la Disney's Wish or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, though. (UGH I have to try and check this one out!) 

Overall, Inside Out 2 is one of the best movies of the year, and it is well worth the 9-year wait. I had a smile on my face when I watched the movie. And in case what movie format I saw the movie in, I watched it in IMAX. It's currently the movie that's drawing masses into movie theaters right now, and it's rightfully taking its place as the highest-grossing movie of 2024 (at least up until some other movie comes over to dethrone it, that is). 

It's a sequel that's a worthy follow-up, and is destined to become a classic for years to come. If you have not seen IO2 in theaters, I highly urge you to do so, PLF, 3D, or not. It's a movie that will leave you feeling cheerful, and you will not regret it.

My rating: 5/5