New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


REVIEW: Inside Out


By Dw Dunphy

originally published: 07/18/2015

REVIEW: Inside Out

Continuing an unspecified cycle of films about growing up, the subesquent loss of innocence, and loss in general, directors Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc., Up) and Ronaldo DelCarmen may have made Disney’s most personal picture yet with Inside Out. Oh, it is still a Pixar animated film. Docter hasn’t gone the path of Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ghost Protocol) or Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, John Carter). Yet the story of a young  Hader covers Fear, and in a casting move that is the definition of “this part was written for you,” Lewis Black is Anger.

Throughout the movie, Joy is at odds with Sadness as she seems to taint the memory orbs that comprise Riley’s emotional library. The team of emotions struggle to keep the golden memories, and especially the intrinsic “core memories,” from literally turning blue. As Riley’s life is turned upside down, and her youth veers ever closer to a memory dump where experiences go to never be remembered again, Joy and Sadness are displaced from their memory-storing headquarters and must go on a sort of road trip through Riley’s very young childhood. In an effort to retrieve those lost core memories, and keep the foundations of her emotional state from crumbling away, the two must learn to work together and understand that each emotion -- even the presumed negative ones -- have important roles to play.

To say more is to give away too much, and that would be a mistake. Inside Out is a movie that should be seen, not described in a synopsis that couldn’t do it justice. And it is a movie that should be seen by adults. From the brief I just offered, you can tell there is a lot going on here beyond the usual slapstick of so many animated entertainments. I’ll go so far to say that the movie might not even be suitable for the youngest audience members, not because of any offenses in it (there aren’t any), but because when things get real in this fantasy land, the subtext is so thick and meaningful, they just won’t understand it.

However they will appreciate Pixar’s patented visualization, and Inside Out is a candyland for the eyeballs, from the islands that comprise key personality traits, to the shimmering gumballs that are a metaphor for memories, to a brief trip through abstract thought. There’s definitely something for the young ones, but they haven’t lived long enough to get what is actually going on in the story, which will be most emotionally significant with pre-teens and particularly impactful for adults.

The movie has a happy ending, as you might insist upon, but Docter, DelCarmen and team do not fall for the common practices in such fare, and sacrifices that occur with the characters are final. It makes for some strange tensions in the theater, again with the youngest viewers, but by honoring the significance of characters the filmmakers show a level of respect for that same audience that you don’t find in U.S.-made efforts.



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



If there is a problem with Inside Out, it is that the bug-eyed and broadly drawn characters initially cause the viewer to expect a parade of slapstick, and with that expectation in mind, a lot of viewers may be put off by how deep it actually goes. As much as it sparkles and glows, the movie is also a psychological examination told in icons. If you are expecting pratfalls, you may feel slighted by the final outcome.

This shouldn’t dissuade you from giving the movie a screening. Yes, it is a “cartoon” produced by Disney. Yes, it features creatures that at once scream “marketing bonanza” and “merchandising.” With all that taken in account, Inside Out remains one of the most intelligent films released in the last five years, and that alone is worth the ticket price.

 



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY


New Jersey Symphony - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

Thursday, April 04, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: film

Click here for full description


New Jersey Symphony presents Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

Friday, April 05, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: film

Click here for full description


An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss and Screening of JAWS

Saturday, May 04, 2024 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: film

Click here for full description


Click here for more events

Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages.

Click here for more info.







 

LATEST NEWS


Lighthouse International Film Society presents screening of "Call Me Bill" - Documentary Chronicles the Legendary Career of William Shatner

(LOVELADIES, NJ) -- Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey into the life and mind of the legendary William Shatner with the highly anticipated documentary, You Can Call Me Bill. This intimate portrayal unveils the multifaceted persona of the iconic actor, delving into his remarkable career spanning decades across stage, screen, and beyond. Lighthouse International Film Society screens this film on Friday, March 29th at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Science. Showtime is 7:30pm.


bergenPAC presents An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss and Screening of "Jaws"




The Newton Theatre presents a Screening of "Trolls: Band Together" to Benefit Autism New Jersey




2024 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place May 31st to June 9th


Click here for more event previews







New Jersey Stage

© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!


Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and on our RSS feed


Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Ad Rates | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy