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INSIDE OUT 2

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Kensington Tallman, Paul Walter Hauser, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Kensington Tallman, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, and Lilimar
Director: Kelsey Mann

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NICK

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To use a baseball analogy, Pixar has been hitting a lot of singles and doubles this decade. Hits, sure, yet nothing exceptional… until now. Inside Out 2 is a home run. The new emotions enhance the film’s relatability while a smart tonal shift accurately reflects the feelings of maturing. Life is messy sometimes, with unclear pathways, and this sequel reflects that. There are fewer laughs, yes, but it’s by design thanks to the mature look it takes at our thoughts, emotions, and the mental strain they can all take on us. It’s a superb film and should be required viewing for anyone growing up.

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AMARÚ

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Inside Out 2 is an excellent follow-up to one of Pixar’s best. It naturally builds out the world of Riley’s (Kensington Tallman) mind to explore simultaneously complex and familiar themes. With its emphasis on a subject as heavy as Anxiety (voiced brilliantly by Maya Hawke), the script is surprisingly hilarious, and it balances the ensemble’s strengths even better than its predecessor. The story could’ve benefitted from an extra 10-15 minutes to further flesh out poignant ideas that sometimes are told instead of shown, but even that excess exposition is so heartfelt that it will resonate with kids, teens, and adults alike.

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ADRIANO

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Following Inside Out is a near impossible feat, but Inside Out 2 does an admirable job. I don't think it gets anywhere close to the impact of the first film, but it comes close with its new approach and world expansion. There's sincere fun here, and some moments got me, even if it wasn't quite the gut punch that I was hoping for. The additions to the cast are very welcome, namely Maya Hawke, although Tony Hale didn’t impress me at all. Overall, it was another great Pixar outing, but nothing outstanding.

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PRESTON

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Insightful, truthful, emotionally engaging, funny, and endlessly clever; Inside Out 2 delivers as a sequel, easily matching its predecessor’s charm. We can picture these emotions in our own heads, and nostalgically look back on our most awkward and vulnerable moments that allow us to personally connect to these characters at every level. I have my own proclivities toward a slightly pessimistic and anxiety-ridden inner narrative, and even as I digress, Inside Out 2 wraps me in its loving embrace of acceptance. It can be warmly regarded as entertainment and as reassuring therapy concurrently. A must watch for all ages.

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SHADAN

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Recent disappointments have made me weary of Pixar sequels and off-shoots, but Inside Out 2 delivers the creativity, humor, and heart that I used to expect from the animation powerhouse. Of the new emotions introduced, Anxiety (Maya Hawke) steals the show, as it does with most teenagers, an authentic and well-executed addition. Much like the original, Inside Out 2 drags in the middle when the characters venture off into the recesses of Riley's (Kensington Tallman) mind, and there's a missed opportunity to fully flesh out new characters. Still, the clever banter, spirited voice-acting, and stunning animation more than make up for any faults.

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