INSIDE OUT (A-/A-/A/A/A)

The Bottom Line: Colorful, clever and complex, Disney/Pixar’s latest is a whimsically told story about five brain command-centered emotions (Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness) guiding a prepubescent girl’s actions, feelings and memories as her family embarks on a life-altering move to the coast.  With their return to comparatively rock-solid form here, the animation studio with the mostest delivers a sophisticatedly fresh, slyly subtle and genuinely gentle piece of cinema for the enjoyment of all ages – the littlest of the littles may not fully understand the humor and subtext at hand, but they’ll enjoy the adventure nonetheless.  My entire family loved it, including my five-year old son.  This is an extremely high-concept film where energy, laughs and bright colors easily fill the something-went-over-my-head voids that I’m sure toddlers, pre-teens and parents alike are to experience, perhaps, to varying degrees…  Be forewarned that we’re not thrown in to typically tame, instantly relatable/understandable Pixar terrain here (like, say, the ocean, a restaurant, the future, a toy box, a scream factory run by monsters, etc.) – the first third of the movie requires a find-your-bearings type of brain as fluffy characters are introduced and the elaborate world-building is in full swing.  Vividly charming, this montage of managed memories deals with many effective themes on family, friendship and fun and digs deep to explore the nature of how a mixed bag of emotions can help prepare you and your children for some of life’s many challenges.  It’s a simplistically intricate tale with heartfelt resolutions that definitely warrants multiple viewings.  Above all else, these five co-mingling cranial custodians of cute are a hoot.  This may not be my favorite* Pixar film, but INSIDE OUT represents a high-water mark for unbridled, free-flow, outside-the-box creativity in popular animation and is destined to be a beloved classic.

Starring the voices of: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Mindy  Kaling, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black

Directed by: Pete Docter (UP and MONSTERS, INC.) and Ronnie del Carmen

Rated: PG

Running time: 112 minutes

Story: Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions - Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley's mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. -- Pixar

Official site: www.facebook.com/pixarinsideout