Inside Out [DVD]

Inside Out is a great Pixar movie. Probably not as good as Toy Story, but definitely as good as some of the others that came after Toy Story. It is about a girl named Riley (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias) who is forced to move halfway across the country because of her father's new job. Her emotions, Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Anger (Lewis Black) control her actions, and her experiences become memories, stored as colored orbs, which are sent into long-term memory each night. The aspects of the five most important "core memories" within her personality incorporate the form of five floating islands. Joy acts as the leader, and she and the rest of the emotions try to limit Sadness's influence. On her first day of school, a sad core memory is created which Joy tries to dispose of and inadvertently sucks Joy, Sadness, and the core memories out of Headquarters leaving Anger, Fear, and Disgust to take control of Riley. Hence, on the outside, she becomes a moody teenager. Most of the movie takes place inside Riley's head as Joy and Sadness try to get the core memories back to Headquarters.The story is one of those that can appeal to kids and adults alike. It will probably have the biggest emotional impact for adults who have children and experience their changing emotions as they grow up, but even if you are an adult without kids, it will definitely have something that reminds you of your childhood and teenage/young adult years. The acting is phenomenal with Poehler great as the lead, and all of the supporting characters doing a wonderful job in their roles. Lewis Black can melt down with the best of them, and having Anger fly off the handle provided some of the funniest moments, along with disgust hating everything. And, Richard Kind as Bing Bong steals pretty much every scene he is in.For those who get the blu-ray, the A/V quality is great, and there are a lot of extras. Those include a commentary track on the movie, and several making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes that range in length from just under five minutes to just under twenty minutes. Then there are three different trailers. So, a lot of good material if you like watching the extras.Overall, the movie is very good. It goes from being a fun, funny kid's movie to a tear-jerker, sometimes within a single scene. It has a good message and is something people of all ages can enjoy for a long time. It is one of those timeless movies that will be just as good twenty or thirty years from now as it was when it was released. Definitely worth the pick-up.

In the tradition of Disney, this little film takes you inside the mind of a troubled yet inspired little girl. The battle is real, but in the end, it all works, from the inside, out... The film is well done with bright colors and sound that is fitting for the various scenes. The grandkids enjoyed watching it, I don't think the film will become a Disney Classic, but for those who have watched it in their youth, may very well watch it again when they become parents themselves.

Adorable and funny! This movie was perfect for teaching kids about emotions and how to express them and at the same time was entertaining for adults.

Holds interest and makes complicated emotions acceptable and understandable.

Cute stuff. Look at these creatures

Entertaining animated film that offers a fun/interesting spin on the human brain/emotions.

great movie

UPDATE: Ok, this movie has completely grown on me, and I'm now so glad we bought it. It's gone from 3 stars to 5. For more sensitive kids, those with sensory issues, or those still figuring out how to regulate their emotions, this is a great movie that illustrates the differences between being happy, sad, or scared in a really concrete way the kids can articulate. It deals very well with empathy and how it's ok to be sad sometimes. My more spirited kid *loves* this movie, and it is totally a great, low key option to put on before bed or a nap. Bing Bong in particular is a big hit, and the overall story really does pull them in. After now having seen this movie dozens of times, I've come to really appreciate this very sweet story.**********************I thought it was a very touching story, but I really wish I would've just rented this first vs. buying it. The pace was too slow for my 3yo's and the conflict in the story really appeals more to older kids and even parents, vs. preschoolers. I think it would have helped connect more with younger kids if the plot had addressed earlier on how the different feelings always worked had worked by themselves before Joy and Sadness's incident, instead of getting to the end of the movie to illustrate that sometimes something makes you both happy and sad. They should've focused more on that earlier vs. watching Joy freak out repeatedly. There are definitely bright, funny moments (the abstract thought part was neat), but overall it's too slow and in some ways mature a movie to put on to keep the little ones occupied so I can get things done around the house. We decided that this would be a good "wind down before bed" type of movie vs. anything the kids will watch repeatedly.