Today, I present a review of Inside Out 2, Pixar's 28th feature film, released in June 2024. This sequel comes nine years after the original, bringing a different charm to our screens.

Inside Out 2 has set a record of $1.675 billion at the global box office, surpassing Jurassic World, which earned $1.671 billion, achieving the 8th position in the worldwide box office rankings.

Plot and Themes

The protagonist, Riley, turns 13 and enters adolescence, introducing new emotions at the emotion control headquarters. While the first film depicted Sadness's struggles and her journey to overcome them, this installment centers around the emotion of Anxiety leading Riley's story.
Riley faces various challenges to join the ice hockey team she admires, confronting her complex inner emotions one by one as she grows. The film delicately portrays Riley's psychological changes and the multifaceted nature of her emotions during this crucial transition of adolescence.

Characteristics and Strengths of the Film

• Psychological Depiction and Inner Growth
  Having already received acclaim for its deep emotional expressions in the first film, this sequel excellently depicts Riley's complex and matured inner self. It expresses the relatable experiences of anxiety and challenges, and the journey of self-discovery within them.

• Enriched Characters and Dialogue
  With the addition of new characters to the established universe from the first film, the dialogue has significantly increased, adding weight to the movie. The fast-paced and tension-filled storyline has also been praised for maintaining the entertainment value of a blockbuster film.

• Advancements in Visual Effects
  As a sequel returning after nine years, the visual effects have greatly improved. The unique sensory colors and enhanced graphics provide visual enjoyment beyond the first film, and the harmonious direction of 2D animation and game graphics offers fresh emotional impact. In particular, the depiction of the belief repository reminiscent of Avatar's Tree of Souls has received much acclaim.

Critics and Reactions

Most viewers resonate deeply with Riley's inner growth and complex emotional changes. The vivid portrayal of the universal experiences of anxiety and challenges has garnered broad empathy not only from children going through adolescence but also from adult audiences.
However, some critics have noted that the overall scale of the story feels somewhat small and the plot is simple. The focus on Riley's subtle emotional changes rather than major events, as seen in the first film, may leave some viewers wanting more.

Box Office Success

This film has achieved remarkable success at the box office, setting a record of $1.675 billion globally, surpassing Jurassic World, which earned $1.671 billion, and achieving the 8th position in the worldwide box office rankings.

Mass Layoffs and Animator Controversy

In May 2024, Pixar conducted mass layoffs affecting about 14% of its workforce, totaling 175 employees, including around 10 animators who worked on Inside Out 2. The layoffs occurred just a month after the film's release, leading to controversy on social media as the film achieved massive success worldwide, but the laid-off employees were not entitled to success bonuses, raising concerns about the treatment of the animators.