The joy and anxiety of being a teenager

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Coming next The world and everything in it: We're looking ahead to a highly anticipated Pixar sequel that has some fans excited and others worried.

Here's Arts and Culture Editor Collin Garbarino on Inside Out 2.

MUSIC: [Life’s Incredible Again – The Incredibles Soundtrack]

COLLIN GARBARINO: Remember when Pixar was the gold standard in animation? For twenty years, the studio produced hit after hit that managed to please both children and adults. The films were intelligent and heartfelt with stories that tended to go against the grain. Movies like The Incredibles, WALL-EAnd Up-classics-and let's not forget toy storythe film that started it all.

It's been a long time since I've wanted to go to the cinema to see a new Pixar film. The quality of the studio has deteriorated noticeably and over the past five years, filmmakers have begun to insert LGBT elements into their films.

All that to say, although I enjoyed the original Upside down in 2015, my enthusiasm to see Inside Out 2 was quite weak.

JOY: There you go! My super high-tech Riley protection system. [sproing] Don't look, it's okay.

But I'm happy to report that the movie was actually pretty good. And it’s a worthy sequel to the original.

MUSIC: [Bundle of Joy – Inside Out soundtrack]

Inside Out 2 begins with Riley Anderson's 13th birthday, and all of her emotions are living in harmony in her head. Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith return as Joy and Sadness, as well as the other main emotions, Anger, Fear and Disgust. These emotions expertly guide the girl through her daily ups and downs.

But then puberty comes and everything changes.

JOY: Orange? Who made the console orange?

ANXIETY: Hello everyone!

HER: [All scream]

Riley's emotional control center is undergoing a radical transformation and new people are moving in.

ANXIETY: I’m sorry. I can get ahead. I am anxiety. I'm one of Riley's new emotions, and we're just super excited to be here. Where can I put my stuff.

DISGUST: What do you mean “we”?

Maya Hawke voices Anxiety, who leads the new team of sophisticated emotions, including Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.

BOREDOM: This is what we would call boredom.

JOY: Well, come here, Ennwarr. Am I saying this correctly?

It doesn't take long for old emotions and new emotions to disagree on what's best for Riley. And anxiety ends up hijacking Riley's self-esteem.

The original Upside down was a sad film. This is not a reproach. It was just melancholy. This sequel is not as sad as the first opus. But it also doesn't have the same spark of originality. Some emotions seem to have to relearn the same lessons.

JOY: It's for all those memories that belong in the back of the mind.

The story retreads old themes, reminding us once again to avoid suppressing certain aspects of ourselves. But the familiar messages seem somehow appropriate for a film that transports viewers to that liminal state between childhood and adulthood. Like the original, this sequel will resonate more with parents than children. But don't worry, the movie has enough wacky antics to keep kids entertained. They simply won't experience the rich moments of self-awareness that the film so skillfully conveys to those of us who have already grown up. And those of us who have watched our children endure these growing pains will feel these moments more acutely.

ANXIETY: We all have a job to do. You make Riley happy. Sadness makes her sad. Fear protects her from the scary things she can see. And my job is to protect her from the scary things she can't see. I plan for the future.

I won't say that Inside Out 2 offers in-depth insight into the human psyche. I had some issues with Riley's mental mechanics. But to be honest, I often struggled to understand the inner workings of my two teenage daughters' minds.

ANXIETY: Riley's life is more complex now. This requires more sophisticated emotions than all of you. You're just not what she needs anymore, Joy.

Inside Out 2 is rated PG and avoids some of the missteps we've recently seen from Disney and Pixar. Fortunately, it contains no references to LGBT issues. And although the film depicts a girl on the cusp of puberty struggling with her emotions, it wisely avoids any aspects of puberty that might elicit uncomfortable questions from young children.

But the film contains many cringe-inducing scenes as Riley experiences embarrassing moments brought on by her desire to fit in with her peers. The desire and embarrassment will be familiar to anyone who has been a teenager.

FEAR: What is it?!

WORKER: That’s sarcasm! It can open for miles! Run for your life!

With Inside Out 2, Pixar returns to solid storytelling and delivers refreshing honesty about the human condition. It's so easy to go through life thinking we're good, but how good are we really? The film ends with a moment of grace that includes confession and forgiveness.

My name is Collin Garbarino.

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