The sequel to Pixar’s 2015 meditation on the complexity of emotion evolves this concept in parallel with lead character, Riley’s, development.  It serves as discourse on understanding the simultaneously sensitive and volatile nature of teenage emotions.  This leads to an outcome that recognizes the toxicity of anxiety while at the same time acknowledging its strengths while providing a holistic understanding of the feeling-behavior connection.

As someone with a clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder, I was effortlessly able to relate to the film’s narrative themes.  Once again, Amy Poehler leads the way with expected energetic elation as Joy, who is faced with the new challenge of assimilation to the new presence of Riley’s more complex emotions in Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui.  This concept serves as a reflection of the notion of identity confusion often inhabited during teenage years as established emotions reconcile the presence of new ones.  

The parallel process of the conflict of the emotions represented on screen, alongside Riley’s own portrayal of them, serves as a strong device for younger audiences to develop an understanding of the connection between their feelings and their behavior.  In this context, this film has emphasized its significance in supporting the normalization of teen mental health challenges.  It spends time exploring the idea of the presence of self-destructive behavior as an actual manifestation of emotional suffering (in this case, anxiety).  This can also serve as a measure for developing parental awareness in understanding how a teen’s feelings of anxiety, envy and embarrassment can drive their behaviors that otherwise seem defiant on the surface.

Where the film falters is in its ability to evolve this narrative concept consistently as its lead emotions navigate the inevitable conflict that ensues with the introduction of the new aforementioned emotions.  It often engages in visual splendor and thrills at the expense of some otherwise impactful messaging on youth development. Despite this shortcoming, the film still attains relative success with delivering these ideas in a manner that still manages to move its audience. It also specifically aims to provide a lens with which to view negatively perceived emotions such as anxiety as both a detriment and a strength in executive functioning.

Inside Out 2 manages to reiterate and evolve the ideas of emotional awareness among youth but does not quite reach the consistent depth that the original film has accomplished.  It still serves as a tremendously entertaining Pixar entry while not quite reaching the perfect balance of storytelling and emotion of some of its best and brightest works.