EF 9.02 – Inside Out 2

“Look, we all have a job to do. My job is to protect Riley from the scary stuff she can’t see.” – Anxiety

Riley’s sharp on the ice, but social skills are how she’s going to make varsity. Watching her find them had me woahed like Keanu.

Pete Doctor and Pixar’s little emo mythology might be the single greatest influence on Experience Film. I use it to score, write, color, and to understand cinematic language and life in general. So was I excited to see the sequel? You bet I was.

I made an artist date* out of it several weeks ago. Strolled in to a mellow yellow sunset, sativa vape in hand, brass candy in pocket, sat down and experienced Joy.

I believe this story could be told using only the original five emotions, but Pixar decided to spice it up with a few more.

Riley is on her way to Hockey camp when her besties break the news they are switching schools and thus will soon be separated.

Into psychological headquarters bursts agent orange, Anxiety, followed by her pubescent goon squad: Embarrassment, Envy, and Boredom. Anxiety (Maya Hawke) orders the ‘thought police’ to gag and arrest the fab five, and assumes the switch board in Orwellian fashion.

Anxiety causes Riley to behave tactfully, but awkwardly. Her teammates can feel something is off. As we learned from the first movie, one emotion is not enough, it takes a village. Socialization is the most complex problem there is. Learning to play on a team requires a team. Riley finds hers alone in the penalty box.

-Experience Film

Footnotes

* Artists dates are outings you make alone with an open mind. From “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron.