Inside Out
Dir: Pete Docter
2015
*****
Pixar have always been good. I will admit that I was never into the first Toy Story as much as everyone else as I felt it was emotionally manipulative and an interesting idea was hijacked by a schmaltzy story. The Incredibles was probably the next time they would really attract my attention (although I loved Toy Story 2) and, Cars aside, they've made great film after great film. WALL-E was their first real masterpiece and I didn't think they'd be able to top it, they certainly matched it the following year though with the brilliant Up. With both films they showed that they could effect one's emotions without being manipulative, instead they exercised one's emotions so that the story would have a more universal appeal, which is a very tricky thing to achieve. It feels like the idea comes way before the money with Pixar. Inside Out has commercial endorsement, lots of it but this is the way these days, I'll put that to one side and state that this is the best film Pixar have made so far, the best film of 2015 so far and maybe one of the best films of the millennium so far. If were talking animation, it's up there with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Jungle Book. If were talking emotions, it's up there with It's a Wonderful Life. If we're talking intelligent idea, it's up there on it's own. The way Pixar have explained how emotions work is absolutely brilliant. It's an astonishing film, absolutely phenomenal. I came close to crying in Up but managed to hold it back, Inside Out had me crying like it was 1985 in that little cinema in Putney watching E.T. with my Grandma all over again. Again, this wasn't manipulative as it is explained that every emotion is needed, sadness as well as joy. The characters fit each emotion so well, as do the voices chosen for each. This is all done through an absence of stereotype too, there may be a little but once again it is universal. Kid's cartoons aren't supposed to be this astonishing are they? Well it's fair to say that it's not just a kids film, this is very much something that everyone can enjoy, this is often said about films these days but it often doesn't ring true but with Inside Out it really does. It's so creative and also quite educational in many respects (although you might not want to put your kids off by telling them). I urge everyone to go and see it, it's a new favorite of mine for sure and undoubtedly a future classic. If your kids are still into Frozen then maybe Inside Out will help them 'Let it go'!?