Classic Review #39: Inside Out

Available on Disney+

Pete Doctor and Ronald De Carmen's film continues to rank as one of the finest Pixar have commissioned to date, with Inside Out perfectly capturing the fragility and volatility felt by children as they approach their teenage years.

Its central characters are essential to the film's appeal, perfectly encapsulating the primary emotional states that human beings of all ages, shapes, and sizes experience. Amy Poehler revels in the lead role of Joy, the devoted guardian of protagonist Riley, exuding the dowdiness of her much loved Parks & Recreations character, Leslie Knope, while the strong stable of supporting actors also bring plenty of value to this animation.

Doctor and De Carmen’s directorial work is also certainly as arresting as many other Pixar releases; it's not often that the aesthetics of an animated feature come together as harmoniously with its story as is the case here, and Inside Out is all the more memorable for it.