Introduction (Headquarters)
Welcome to Headquarters! This OT is where we run GAF’s reactions to this new Pixar movie, Inside Out. Director Pete Docter has taken you to a sophisticated monster world and to the deep untamed South American jungle, but now he will take you to the most terrifying location yet: the mind of a human girl named Riley.
Plot (Core Memories)
Riley, an 11-year-old girl, is guided by her emotions, Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust. These emotions live in Headquarters, running Mission Control and advising Riley’s everyday life. When Riley has to move from her small town to the urban metropolis known as San Francisco, she must depend on her emotions to guide her through this difficult time. Disaster strikes when Sadness accidentally causes Joy and herself to get lost within the rest of Riley’s Mind. As Joy and Sadness try to find their way back to Headquarters while dealing with their obvious, Fear, Anger, and Disgust must guide Riley in her new, terrifying city.
Release Dates (Mission Control)
On a very cool note, Pixar is hosting a question and answer with Pete Docter and behind the scenes advance showings nationwide. For one night only on June 16, you can attend a Fathom event at 7pm local time, with all the local Pixar nerds.
General Information (Long-Term Memory)
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios.
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios.
Running time 94 minutes
Language - English
Director: Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.)
Producer: Jonas Rivera (Up, Cars))
Written by: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve (upcoming writer of Captain Marvel), Josh Cooley (George and AJ, upcoming director of Toy Story 4)
Music by: Michael Giacchino (Up, Ratatouille)
Short Film (Canyon of the Mind)
Lava is a musical love story about volcanos. Yep, sounds like a Pixar short. Following two volcanos named Uke and Lele and set over millions of years, the film is directed by James Ford Murphy, making his short debut.
Characters (Imagination Land)
Joy
”We can’t focus on what’s going wrong; there’s always a way to turn things around!”
Joy's goal has always been to make sure Riley stays happy. She is lighthearted, optimistic and determined to find the fun in every situation. Joy sees challenges in Riley's life as opportunities, and the less happy moments as hiccups on the way back to something great. As long as Riley is happy, so is Joy. Joy is voiced by Amy Poehler.
Sadness
“I wanted to maybe hold one...”
None of the other Emotions really understand what Sadness's role is. Sadness would love to be more optimistic and helpful in keeping Riley happy, but she finds it so hard to be positive. Sometimes it seems like the best thing to do is just lie on the floor and have a good cry. Sadness is voiced by Phyllis Smith.
Fear
“Nothing is working, why isn’t it working??”
Fear’s main job is to protect Riley and keep her safe. He is constantly on the lookout for potential disasters, and spends time evaluating the possible dangers, pitfalls and risk involved in Riley’s everyday activities. There are very few activities and events that Fear does not find to be dangerous and possibly fatal. Fear is voiced by Bill Hader.
Anger
“Can I say that curse word now?”
Oh, look, it’s my current avatar. Anger feels very passionately about making sure things are fair for Riley. He has a fiery spirit and tends to explode (literally) when things don't go as planned. He is quick to overreact and has little patience for life's imperfections. Anger is voiced by Lewis Black.
Disgust
“When I'm through, Riley will look so good the other kids will look at their own outfits and barf.”
Disgust is highly opinionated, extremely honest and prevents Riley from getting poisoned — both physically and socially. She keeps a careful eye on the people, places and things that Riley comes into contact with — whether that's broccoli or last year's fashion trend. Disgust always has the best of intentions and refuses to lower her standards. Disgust is voiced by Mindy Kaling.
Riley
The emotions’ world revolves around Riley, an average girl. Well, not so average – she loves hockey, her parents, and snow cones. She relies (heh, that’s funny, because RILEY) on her emotions a lot to get through her life, but she experiences joy the most of her emotions. Riley is voiced by Kaitlyn Dias.
Riley’s Parents
Riley’s parents love their daughter very much. They support her in her hockey endeavors, and they’re the cause of the happy Anderson family. That said, Riley’s dad caused the move to San Francisco, and that may cause a little dysfunction along the way. Riley’s parents are voiced by Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan
Reviews (Dream Production)
- Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood ReporterThis latest conceptually out-there creation from Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.; Up) serves up some abstractions and flights of deconstructive fancy that will most likely go over the heads of viewers with ages in the single digits. But this adventurous outing manages the great Pixar trick of operating on two levels — captivating fun for kids, disarming smarts for adults — that sets the studio apart.
- Peter Debruge, VarietyOn paper, “Inside Out” sounded like another lunatic gamble: an adventure that takes place entirely within the head of an 11-year-old girl, featuring her Emotions as characters — although if anyone could pull off a logline like that, it would be the team that made us care about rats who cook, toys that bond, and robots who fall in love. Sure enough, in execution, Pixar’s 15th feature proves to be the greatest idea the toon studio has ever had: a stunningly original concept that will not only delight and entertain the company’s massive worldwide audience, but also promises to forever change the way people think about the way people think, delivering creative fireworks grounded by a wonderfully relatable family story.
- Rory O'Connor, The Film StageThese kinds of things used to be synonymous with the studio — almost a given, the jewels on its animation crown. Inside Out might not be in the same bracket as Toy Story, Wall-E, and Up, but it is still more than simply a return to their glory days. It is a thoroughly funny, sad, and profound piece of work, with plenty of comforting things to say about growing up and feeling down. The Cannes crowd was rapturous. One can only imagine the effect it might have on a young child.
And there's plenty more on Rotten Tomatoes, where it has a stellar 100% with 24 reviews!