1. Joy. Actually, I am just kidding. Pixar’s latest wonder is terrific for children of all ages. Inside Out is brilliantly scripted while the editing and artistic direction are all superb.
2. Fear. But beyond the cute characters, fun fast-paced plot, and reservoir of cute comedy, Inside Out tackles a quite mature subject that may be a bit complex for young audiences.
3. Anger. Maybe if I were a little kid, I would be really pissed off with Sadness for messing up Riley’s core memories. And I might be unable to properly comprehend why Sadness just had to interfere with Riley’s already established life.
4. Disgust. Or I would be just plain disgusted with Sadness. Because human beings are instinctively programmed to hold on to comfort and happiness, the simplicity of the world in a child’s mind might make it quite easy for him or her to devalue negative emotions that actually have significant roles in our survival. But maybe I am just miscalculating the psychological makeup of children these days.
5. Sadness. In developing a plot that wisely probed on the interconnectedness of human emotions, Inside Out is essentially more mature than many films for grownups. If there’s anything sad about this Pixar creation, it is that it had to end when I was really having a great time and I had to wait for years if ever the guys behind this would put together a sequel featuring an older Riley with her much wiser minions.
To parents, watch Inside Out with your kids and later have an insightful talk with them. It would be helpful for them to understand that coming to terms with sadness is a necessary step in growing up.
To psychology teachers, let your students watch Inside Out as a subject requirement. I am sure it would be fun reading their reaction papers or listening to their thoughts as you discuss the film in your class. Enjoy Inside Out!
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