A Reel Preview: Everything You Need To Know About INSIDE OUT

Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios makes their long-awaited return to the big screen this weekend with their newest adventure, INSIDE OUT. Here is everything you need to know about the 15^th film from the famed animation studio. 

What is this about? – The little voices inside our heads become actual characters. Set in the mind of a young girl, her five emotions; Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear, and Sadness…try to lead her through her life. 

Who is behind this? – INSIDE OUT is directed and co-written by Peter Doctor, who is a veteran of Pixar. Doctor has directed MONSTERS INC. (2001), the short-film MIKE’S NEW CAR (2002), UP (2009), and is credited with the story for WALL-E (2008), TOY STORY 2 (1999), and as a writer for MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (2013). 

Who are the actors? – Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, and Mindy Kaling provide the voices. Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan provide the voices of the young girl’s parents. 

Random Items – The basic storyline of INSIDE OUT came from a period of director Peter Doctor’s life, when as a child he went through a similar experience that the film’s main character goes through * INSIDE OUT is the first Pixar film without input from co-founder and former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who passed away in 2011 * The art design of the film is intended to reflect 1950’s broadway musicals * The music is scored by Michael Giacchino, who has scored four previous Pixar films (THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE, UP, and CARS 2), and has also scored STAR TREK (2009), and this year’s JURASSIC WORLD * The personalities of the different emotions are inspired by the dwarfs from SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937).

What to expect? – This is Pixar’s first feature in over two years, so there is a great amount of comfort having them back on the big screen. Prior to the break, they had released one film each year since 2006, and it is fair to assume that they have used the time wisely. Having Pete Doctor at the brain is a huge positive, as Doctor has put together the most emotionally rewarding Pixar film yet (UP), and with this being a film about childhood…that sort of special touch is needed. Despite being favorited by the wee-lads, Pixar’s films have always operated on several layers of storytelling; making them suitable for adults just as much as children, and with INSIDE OUT seemingly taking place in two different arenas (inside and out of the girl’s head), there is ripe potential for multi-layered storytelling; a true thinking-man’s adventure. Overall, all the pieces seem to be in place for a strong effort from Pixar. 

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INSIDE OUT arrives in wide-release June 19th. It will be preceded by the animated short, LAVA.