The director of the much-awaited Pixar sequel “Inside Out 2,” Kelsey Mann, is causing a stir with the movie’s emphasis on puberty and anxiety. Mann talked about the significance of addressing these subjects in a recent interview at the Annecy Animation Festival, emphasizing the film’s boldness in doing so.
“Inside Out 2” follows Riley, the main character from the original movie, as she makes her way through the turbulent adolescent years. As a seasoned Pixar filmmaker helming his first feature picture, Mann understood the importance of adding fresh feelings to the palette of well-known ones like Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. Let’s introduce anxiety, envy, ennui (apathy), and embarrassment, all of which represent the nuanced emotional terrain that teenager’s traverse.
Mann’s choice to explore anxiety and puberty is motivated by a personal wish to normalize these sensations. “I feel anxious, which is why I’m making a movie about it. On different levels, we all do,” he remarked. He feels that the original “Inside Out” made a big difference, and “Inside Out 2” hopes to do the same. The movie aims to close the gap between how youth experience these emotions and how adults might view them by presenting these experiences in a humorous and approachable manner.
The filmmaker admits that there was some initial uncertainty about the idea. “I wasn’t sure if the studio would be able to make a film like this,” said Mann. Pete Docter, the chief creative officer of Pixar, recognized the story’s potential, nevertheless. Mann acknowledges that Docter’s guidance and comprehension enabled him to take this risky course.
This boldness transcends the subject matter. “Inside Out 2” is a major artistic advance for Pixar. The success of the first movie rested on its novel idea of personifying feelings in the mind. “Inside Out 2” expands on the original idea by presenting new emotions and perhaps illustrating the complexity of an adolescent mind.
Reviews indicate that the movie lives up to expectations. The National’s initial review of the movie commends its “anxious and hilarious examination of turning 13”. While maintaining the trademark Pixar comedy, the reviewer emphasizes how the film’s focus on anxiousness speaks to the experiences of teenagers.
“Inside Out 2” seemed destined to be more than just a follow-up, with its emphasis on puberty and anxiety. With its accessible and perceptive examination of a pivotal stage in human evolution, it has the potential to be a major cultural touchstone. “Inside Out 2” has the potential to be an engaging and touching experience for viewers of all ages, given Mann’s enthusiasm for the project and Pixar’s readiness to take this risk.
