Plugged In Review Inside Out 2

Okay, folks, let's talk about Inside Out 2. Everyone's raving. I'm… mostly there? Don't get me wrong, it's cute. But let's dive into some thoughts, maybe some mildly spicy takes.

First off: puberty. A wild ride for everyone. Riley is hitting all the feels. New emotions are barging in, causing chaos.

The New Kids on the Block

Anxiety. Envy. Embarrassment. Ennui. Quite a handful, right? They're supposed to represent teenage angst. But did they fully nail it?

Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, steals the show. She's frantic. She's controlling. We get it, anxiety is a LOT.

Is Anxiety Too Much?

Here's where my maybe-unpopular opinion comes in. Anxiety kind of bulldozes everything. The other new emotions fade into the background. They become Anxiety's cheerleaders.

Envy gets a few good lines. Embarrassment hides under a hoodie. Ennui...well, she's appropriately bored.

But they don’t quite feel fully fleshed out. Did they need more screen time? Probably! They felt more like supporting characters in Anxiety: The Movie.

The OG Emotions: A Bit…Sidelined?

Remember Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust? We love them. They were the stars of the first movie!

They’re still around, trying to help Riley. But they’re quickly locked away. Sent to the back of Riley’s mind in a jar. Out of sight, out of mind, apparently.

It makes sense, plot-wise. But it also feels like a downgrade. We miss seeing their teamwork. We miss their unique perspectives, besides, a good plot is nothing without strong characters.

The Plot Thickens (Maybe a Little Too Much?)

The core memory concept is still central. Riley is trying to get into a good hockey program. New core memories are forming. High stakes for a pre-teen!

The plot zips and zooms. There are memory vaults and imagination lands. It’s visually impressive.

But, sometimes it feels a little too busy. Too many metaphors fighting for attention. A little streamlining could have helped.

Humor: Hit or Miss?

There are definitely funny moments. Some jokes land perfectly. Some… not so much.

The self-deprecating humor aimed at adults feels a bit forced. Like they’re trying a bit too hard to get a laugh. The jokes about having teenagers feel more relatable, to be honest.

Overall, the humor is lighter. Less nuanced than the original. Your mileage may vary.

The Feels: Are They Real?

The first Inside Out punched you in the gut. It made you ugly cry. Did Inside Out 2 achieve the same level of emotional depth?

I'd argue, not quite. It tackles complex themes. But it doesn’t explore them with the same raw honesty. It has its moments, but the feelings are sometimes surface level.

Maybe I'm just older and jaded. Maybe my own "Anxiety" is making me critical! But there's a difference between exploring emotions and just naming them.

Final Thoughts: Still Worth Seeing?

Absolutely! Inside Out 2 is visually stunning. It has a good message about growing up. It's also fun to watch with your kids or friends.

Just don’t expect it to be a perfect replica of the first film. Appreciate it for what it is. A sequel that tries new things, with mixed, though mostly positive, results.

My take? It’s a solid 7/10. Good, but not quite groundbreaking. Go see it. Form your own opinion. And let's discuss!

Ultimately, Inside Out 2 is a movie, and opinions can vary. It’s a good film, but is it great? Perhaps not in my books.