“Inside Out 2” can’t match the original, but still packs a emotional wallup

"Inside Out" remains one of my favorite Pixar movies. It was one of the company's wildest swings: "What if feelings had feelings?" And it worked on so many levels. It was a movie that kids could enjoy because of the colorful characters and silly jokes, and parents could enjoy it for the deeper meaning behind the story. Plus, everyone loves Bing Bong (voiced by the incredible Richard Kind). It was a masterpiece. I was skeptical it could live up to the original when the sequel was announced.

As Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman) enters her teenage years, Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) and the rest of Riley's emotions face a new challenge. They must navigate the arrival of new emotions, led by Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), and the ensuing battle for control over Riley's future.

This movie does not hit as hard emotionally as the previous one (pun intended), but the payoff in the end was as good as the first. My other gripe is that the plot repeats the first movie: Joy and other emotions travel back to headquarters before a potential catastrophe strikes Riley.

The heart of the first movie is Joy realizing that memories can be a mix of different emotions. With Riley moving, some of those joyful memories can become tinged with sadness. Now, Joy and the other emotions need to learn how to deal with all that comes with puberty.

Like Joy, Anxiety is there to protect Riley; it's her mind running through all possible outcomes of a given situation. Anxiety is trying to do what is best for Riley's future, even if it means ruining her present. Riley is headed off to high school and will attend a different school than her best friends. Anxiety uses that as an opportunity to try to get in with the older, cool kids at the hockey camp they are at. In doing so, she alienates her friends.

As tends to happen to sequels to original movies, "Inside Out 2" was never going to match "Inside Out." The first film came out of nowhere and was one of Pixar's best. "Inside Out 2" comes very close to accomplishing what the original did. One way this sequel surpasses the original is in the overall lesson that the emotions learn (I won't spoil it, but it's pretty powerful).

8/10

Rated PG for some thematic elements.

1h 36min