There’s usually one or two movies every year that really stand out from the pack. And when it comes to family movies, I can tell you there just aren’t that many that are worth seeing or buying the DVD or blu-ray when it comes out.
Happily, Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” is one of the good ones. It tells the story of what goes on inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley (Kaitlyn Dias, in her first role). Based in “Headquarters” (her mind), five emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy (Amy Poehler). She strives to make sure Riley stays happy as she operates alongside fellow emotions Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith).
Directed by Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and co-directed by Ronnie Del Carmen, “Inside Out” is executive produced by Disney Pixar vets John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, and produced by Jonas Rivera.
Everything about “Inside Out” is amazing, from the A-List voice talent to the beautiful story to the stunning animation. It’s a movie to watch over and over, and also one you’ll be talking about years from now. Think “Finding Nemo” or “The Incredibles.” Yeah, we’re in that territory.
You can check out my review of the theatrical release here, but suffice to say it’s one of the best family movies I’ve ever seen – and it garnered a rare “5 of 5 Reels” from me. From my review:
While some parts of “Inside Out” are sad, they’re balanced by moments of joy and imagination, like when Sadness describes the subconscious as “the place they take all the troublemakers.” And as mentioned, the emotions are perfectly cast, from Poehler’s unbridled can-do attitude to Smith’s sad-Eeyore demeanor to Kaling’s total disgust. All. Perfect.
But “Inside Out” isn’t just about Riley’s journey. It’s also about Joy’s. She ultimately realizes that every single emotion is important in the human psyche. Without sadness, loss and loneliness, there can be no joy.
There’s beauty in sadness, and that’s a common theme in some of Pixar’s best movies, including “Toy Story,” “Up,” “WALL-E” and “Monsters, Inc.” Now we can add “Inside Out” to that list.
“Inside Out” was released on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on Oct. 13, 2015, and on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Combo Pack and On Demand on Nov. 3, 2015.
As you might imagine, Disney Pixar has not skimped when it comes to the bonus features. You ready? Here we go…
BONUS: Digital HD, Blu-ray Combo Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere:
- Riley’s First Date? (In-Home Exclusive Animated Short Film) – Riley, now 12, is hanging out at home with her parents in San Francisco when potential trouble comes knocking: a boy shows up at the door. Can Mom and Dad’s emotions handle “Riley’s First Date?” Check out the video below.
- LAVA (Theatrical Short Film) – Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, LAVA is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.
- Story of the Story – Director Pete Docter talks about the evolution of Inside Out, from the ideas and memories that inspired the story through the hurdles, explorations and experiences that helped shape it into the film it is today.
- Paths to Pixar: The Women of Inside Out – Inside Out filmmakers, from voice actors to animators to production crew, talk about their paths, their goals, the challenges they’ve faced and the lessons they’ve learned along the way
- Mixed Emotions – Inside Out’s filmmakers talk about how they decided which emotions to focus on in the story and how they went about creating each one’s distinct personality and visual identity
- Mapping the Mind – Inside Out’s artists take you through the years-long process of designing and creating a world everyone knows, but no one has ever seen – the human mind.
- Our Dads, the Filmmakers – Elie Docter (daughter of director, Pete Docter) and Grace Giacchino (daughter of composer, Michael Giacchino) bring you behind the scenes for an inside look at the making of the film.
- Into the Unknown: The Sound of Inside Out – What is the sound of a memory forming? Sound designer Ren Klyce describes the challenges – and the unique solutions – involved in creating the aural world of Inside Out.
- The Misunderstood Art of Animation Film Editing – Learn more about the crucial role of an animation film editor, who helps take the story from its earliest, most exploratory versions, to the final, polished film you see onscreen.
- Deleted Scenes
- Riley Grows Up – In this scene from a version of the film where the primary relationship was between Joy and Fear (then named Freddie), the emotions begin to notice a change in Riley.
- Joy’s Decline – Joy’s struggles to make sense of the limitations on Riley’s behavior that seem to be springing up at every turn.
- Misdirection – Joy and Freddie encounter a group of Riley’s “retired” imaginary friends, including an early version of Big Bong.
- Construction – Joy is guided through Riley’s mind by a radical non-conformist, Bing Bong, outraged by the demolition of older areas like Imagination Park.
- Commentary – Commentary includes participation from directors Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen, and producer Jonas Rivera.
- Mind Candy – A montage of toolkit and interstitials produced for Inside Out.
- Inside Out Trailers – A collection of domestic and international trailers made for Inside Out.
Blu-ray 3D:
- LAVA
DVD:
- LAVA
- Commentary
DMA (Disney Movies Anywhere) Exclusives:
- Designing Abstract Thought – Inside Out character designer Albert Lozano describes the challenging, exciting and appropriately nonlinear process of designing the films “Abstract Thought” sequence.
- Deleted Scenes
- 1. Joy Alone – Pursuing a lost memory underneath the ocean, Joy is given a chance to fulfill her heart’s desire.
- 2. Imagination Park – Joy is chased through a reactivated Imagination Park by an antagonistic Freddie.
More Stuff:
- FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 94 min.
- MPAA RATING: PG for mild thematic elements and some action
- ASPECT RATIO: Blu-ray Feature Film = 1080p High Definition / 2.39:1
- DVD Feature Film = 2.39:1
- AUDIO: Blu-ray = 7.1 DTS
- DVD = 5.1 Dolby
- LANGUAGES: English, French & Spanish
- SUBTITLES: English SDH, French & Spanish
SOCIAL MEDIA:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarInsideOut
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PixarInsideOut
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pixarinsideout/
VIDEO: Riley’s First Date?
VIDEO: Deleted Scene – Take Your Daughter to Work Day
VIDEO: Disney Movies Anywhere Extended Clip
VIDEO: Bonus Clip – The Women of Inside Out
VIDEO: Inside Out Emotions React to ‘Star Wars” The Force Awakens’ Trailer
Leave a Reply