'Inside Out' [Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD]
(Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, et al / Blu ray+DVD / PG / 2015 / Walt Disney)
Overview: IAfter young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
Blu ray Verdict: In truth, 'Inside Out' was one of only a few movies I've gone into with high expectations ... and still came out blown away! I was anticipating this movie since I saw the trailer, but not as much as other upcoming movies. I still didn't think it'd be as fantastic as it was, but went to see it in theaters anyway.
'Inside Out' is superb and I am so glad to own it, to be reviewing it, and to hold it in my hands - to show my family and others that would like to come around and have some popcorn with us! Indeed, it's proof that when Disney and Pixar work together magical things happen. And I'm not joking about that, 'Inside Out' is truly amazing.
I was a little annoyed by the amount of praise it received for originality, because the idea itself isn't exactly original. It's been used before, its just not as common as other types of movies. That's not to say the rest of the movie isn't original, however.
All the main characters are fantastic, each one clearly and perfectly depicting their particular emotion throughout the movie. And yet somehow they don't feel flat or like they defined by a single emotion. They feel real. They actually work together which builds their relationship and really adds to their development. Outside the mental world, Riley feels very real.
Wholly someone you can relate to, which really adds to the movie as no one can relate to only a single emotion. Some people I've heard complained about her sudden mood swings, but I have those all the time. I want to do something, then I don't, then I do again. It makes sense, and director/producer Pete Docter does an excellent job at this.
The way everything works in the brain is very interestingly and creatively explained, such as why songs get stuck in your head or how you forget things. It's all very fun to watch and see what Disney and Pixar came up with. It all makes sense without taking itself too seriously.
This is the only movie (other than 'Iron Giant') that has ever made me cry. Making someone like me feel emotion is a true feat for a movie. And I wasn't the only one. I could hear my manly rugby- playing friends crying harder than I did next to me. This is truly an emotional movie. Even after having the ending spoiled for me (originally) I still cried! I know, right!
Overall, 'Inside Out' (as you will guess that I am going to report!) is a superb movie. I wouldn't say it's absolutely flawless, but it's pretty darn close. No rating other than a 10/10 could be justified for a movie like this. For children and adults alike, I recommend this work of art. It's funny, creative, emotional, well-acted, realistic, and very, very well done.
If you don't/didn't enjoy this movie, then I truly feel sorry for you, because it is a masterpiece. If you can spare 94 minutes, then I recommend 'Inside Out', and if you don't have 94 minutes, make time to watch it. You won't regret it. This is a Widescreen (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:
Inside Out (Blu-ray Format): The theatrical version of the film on blu-ray
Inside Out (DVD Format): The theatrical version of the film on DVD
Inside Out (Digital HD): The theatrical version of the film in a digital format
Riley's First Date? (Animated Short Film): Riley, now 12, is hanging out at home with her parents in San Francisco when potential trouble comes knocking: a boy shows up at the door. Can Mom and Dad's emotions handle "Riley's First Date?". [4 minutes]
LAVA (Theatrical Short Film): Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, LAVA is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.
Story of the Story: Director Pete Docter talks about the evolution of Inside Out, from the ideas and memories that inspired the story through the hurdles, explorations and experiences that helped shape it into the film it is today.
Paths to Pixar - The Women of Inside Out: Inside Out filmmakers, from voice actors to animators to production crew, talk about their paths, their goals, the challenges they've faced and the lessons they've learned along the way.
Mixed Emotions: Inside Out's filmmakers talk about how they decided which emotions to focus on in the story and how they went about creating each one's distinct personality and visual identity.
Mapping the Mind: Inside Out's artists take you through the years-long process of designing and creating a world everyone knows, but no one has ever seen - the human mind.
Our Dads, the Filmmakers: Elie Docter (daughter of director, Pete Docter) and Grace Giacchino (daughter of composer, Michael Giacchino) bring you behind the scenes for an inside look at the making of the film.
Into the Unknown -The Sound of Inside Out: Elie Docter (daughter of director, Pete Docter) and Grace Giacchino (daughter of composer, Michael Giacchino) bring you behind the scenes for an inside look at the making of the film.
The Misunderstood Art of Animation Film Editing: Learn more about the crucial role of an animation film editor, who helps take the story from its earliest, most exploratory versions, to the final, polished film you see onscreen.
Deleted Scenes:
» Riley Grows Up - In this scene from a version of the film where the primary relationship was between Joy and Fear (then named Freddie), the emotions begin to notice a change in Riley.
» Joy's Decline - Joy's struggles to make sense of the limitations on Riley's behavior that seem to be springing up at every turn.
» Misdirection - Joy and Freddie encounter a group of Riley's "retired" imaginary friends, including an early version of Big Bong.
» Construction - Joy is guided through Riley's mind by a radical non-conformist, Bing Bong, outraged by the demolition of older areas like Imagination Park.
Commentary: Commentary includes participation from directors Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen, and producer Jonas Rivera.
Mind Candy: A montage of toolkit and interstitials produced for Inside Out.
Inside Out Trailers: A collection of domestic and international trailers made for Inside Out.