Inside Out

Inside Out is an expertly crafted movie, one that really tugs at your heartstrings; but I didn’t really like it.  The director Pete Docter also directed Monsters, Inc which is one of my favorite Pixar films.  Many comparisons could be made between these two movies, but Inside Out lacks one key element that made Monster, Inc so wonderful; joy.  Now sure, Inside Out features a character named Joy who is supposed to represent joy, but ultimately she’s conceited and irritating.  Likewise, Sadness comes across as indifferent and slothful more than sad. 

That being said, Docter and his team of animators did an excellent job conveying the intricacies of young girl’s psyche.  Visual representation of the mind and scenes in the outside world are cleverly edited together very effectively.   Technically and artistically the film may be perfect, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an enjoyable experience.  Monsters, Inc also exemplified creativity and skill, but most importantly it was entertaining.  The characters were funny, likable, and sympathetic.  I am fully aware that this review reveals a double standard that I exercise; I would never have criticized Schindler’s List for not being entertaining.  Perhaps I am being critical because I believe that this film has been misrepresented; it lacks the joy which each proceeding Pixar film has contained.