'Inside Out 2' Explores New Feelings for Teenager Riley

The filmmakers behind “Inside Out 2” think it's important that the Pixar animated film gets people talking about how they've struggled and dealt with complex emotions.

“This film is for anyone who has ever felt feelings. No matter our age or gender, we all feel these emotions. It’s what connects us as humans,” said producer Mark Nielsen.

“Inside Out 2,” which hits theaters Friday, is the sequel to the hit 2015 Oscar-winning film directed by Pete Docter.

Kelsey Mann has taken over direction for the sequel, which continues the story of main character Riley as she turns 13 and begins puberty, signaling the development of new emotions and obstacles.

Amy Poehler reprises her role as the voice of Joy, a yellow happy emotion with Phyllis Smith as Sadness, a blue sad emotion.

The cast joins Maya Hawke as Anxiety, Ayo Edebiri as Envy, Paul Walter Hauser as Embrassment and Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui.

“Inside Out 2” is expected to debut with the highest box office sales of the year so far, with a domestic debut estimated to gross at least $90 million, said Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory.

He said the film had a chance to become the first film since last summer's “Barbie” to be released with more than $100 million in ticket sales in the United States and Canada in its first weekend. end.

Movie box offices have been declining since last year's writers' and actors' strikes delayed the release of several films.

Newcomer Hawke said she channeled her own experiences with anxiety to connect with Riley's journey.

“Being irrational is not a crime,” she said.

“This is thrown at people so often, so cruelly. “You are irrational!” » This is not a crime. I think it's a question of awareness. I realize I'm being irrational but I know it would help me do this thing. I know I don't need my special blanket to sleep, but it helps me sleep, so isn't it okay to have it?” she added.

Poehler said it was vital not to tell the same story as the first film where Joy saves the day and everyone is happy. Playing more serious scenes “was a cool acting challenge,” she said.

For Liza Lapira, who replaced Mindy Kaling as the voice of Disgust, seeing the emotions transform over time added a new dimension to the animated film.

“These emotions are neither good/bad. They are there as protectors, they are there to teach us,” she said.

“Desire, you know, points me in the direction of what I might want, and I don't know if I want it, and it just manifests itself as a desire. Fear obviously protects me, disgust protects me, anger can be righteous anger, defending what is right against injustice. These emotions are not bad, they can educate and inform us,” she added.

While the film explores Riley's personal struggles as she grows up, Black said he felt both the original and the sequel promoted mental health.

“What you have is two major films about mental health disguised as animations. I mean, it is what it is and for me it also takes things to a different level,” he said. he adds.