If there’s one thing Pixar knows how to do, it’s create memorable films. Long after you’ve walked out the cinema, the likes of Wall.E and Finding Nemo stay with you.
2015 marks the first time the studio will release two films in the same year, with The Good Dinosaur coming to cinemas in December and the subject of this review, Inside Out, in this year’s busy summer season.
But has this increased workload for Pixar’s animators resulted in a poorer quality movie?
Inside Out (2015) Disney/Pixar
Inside Out follows the story of young Riley, an eleven-year-old girl coming to terms with growing up in a new home away from her friends and the neighbourhood she knows and loves.
Deep inside her head, however, we find a whole host of colourful characters controlling Riley’s emotions. Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust all play a part in keeping her level-headed. Unfortunately, after a near disaster it falls on upbeat Joy and ever-blue Sadness to bring Riley back to who she once was.
Inside Out continues Pixar’s trend of creating beautifully animated films that really strike a chord with audiences. The sheer amount of colour is absolutely breath-taking and children will find much to enjoy in both the central characters and the numerous environments inside Riley’s head, while adults will love the stunning recreation of San Francisco in all its bustling glory.
The cast, which includes voice work by Bill Hader (Monsters University), Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives) and Diane Lane (Man of Steel) all do sterling jobs in bringing their characters to life but it is in Phyllis Smith, who plays Sadness, that we find the best portrayal.
A relatively unknown actress with few film credits to her name, Smith is truly wonderful as the little blue lady who keeps a check on the more upsetting moments in Riley’s life.
Elsewhere, Pixar has once again created a story that really focuses on the themes of growth, family bonding and what it means to grow up in today’s society with numerous cultural references that children and adults alike will enjoy.
However, it’s important to note that Inside Out is one of the more emotional films Pixar has created. At numerous points throughout the movie there were a couple of children in the cinema wiping away the tears – though this shows how heavily invested in the characters they became.
Unfortunately, despite being 94 minutes in length, Inside Out does feel a little drawn out in places and lacks the deeper storytelling elements that has made some of the studios other films so charming. This isn’t to say it lacks charm, but it’s in slightly shorter supply here.
Overall, Pixar has added another cracking film to its ever-increasing roster. Whilst not hitting the heights of Wall.E or Toy Story, it makes for a memorable and sensible film for the whole family to enjoy.
It’s a great start to the summer holidays. Roll on The Good Dinosaur.
Inside Out (2015) Rating: 8/10
Spotted an error? Please notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
An avid lover of all things film, Adam Brannon has grown up with a huge passion for cinema that can be traced right back to his favourite childhood movie, Steven Spielberg's smash hit, Jurassic Park.
After graduating from the University of Lincoln with a degree in journalism, he now writes film reviews for his own website, Movie Metropolis and for the Press Association.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A photo of Skegness murder victim Jordan Siree has been released by Lincolnshire Police less than a month before the man accused of his death is due back in court.
Officers attended a property on Glentworth Crescent in Skegness at around 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 22, where a man was found with serious injuries. He died in hospital in the early hours of the following day.
Police launched a murder investigation after the 26-year-old’s death.
Flowers and balloons were left in tribute at the scene after the death of a man in Skegness. | Photo: The Lincolnite
On December 24 last year, Scott Rowen, 28, of Glentworth Crescent, was charged by police with murder.
Rowen was one of the two men arrested by police in connection with the incident, but the other man, a 30-year-old, was released without further action.
No charge was put Rowen when he appeared via video link for a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, January 14.
A police cordon was put in place at the rear of the County Hotel in Skegness.
Judge John Pini QC adjourned the case for a further hearing on February 22 and a trial date was set for August 16 this year.
Rowen, who spoke only to confirm his name, was remanded in custody.
Detective Inspector Andy McWatt, Senior Investigating Officer, previously said: “This is a truly tragic incident and will be felt even more keenly by the family of Jordan Siree because of the time of year. Violence like this has no place on the streets of Lincolnshire.”
The Lincoln Debenhams store will close for good, despite online retailers Boohoo buying the company’s name and website for £55 million.
The buyout will see all of chain’s 118 stores close, losing over 12,000 jobs as a result.
Debenhams has spent the last two years fighting off bankruptcy, calling in administrators twice in the last two years.
The writing was seemingly on the wall in August when the high street retailer slashed over 2,500 jobs after slow trading post-lockdown.
A closing-down sale in December swept across all Debenhams stores in the country, before it was announced that six stores would not reopen after lockdown.
Boohoo has said that Debenhams is expected to relaunch online in early 2022, but will continue to operate on its own website until then.
The online retailer said it intends to expand Debenhams’ product range and transform the business “through the development of an exciting online marketplace.”
A mass rapid testing centre has opened on Croft Street off Monks Road for people with and without coronavirus symptoms after relocating from Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium.
Some 2,298 people were tested, with 42 positive results at the site on Sincil Bank between January 11 to 24.
This is a positivity rate of 1.83%, which is higher than the 0.5-1% local health bosses previously expected by the end of the initial two-week cycle.
The centre opened at its new location of the St Swithin’s community centre on Croft Street at 8am on Monday, January 25.
Signage will guide people to the centre. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It will allow those who live in the area to attend on a walk-up basis at the site, which will be open daily from 8am to 8pm until February 7.
There is no need to book and people can just turn up to the centre, where they will be guided through the process.
Online/follow-up testing will take place at the site between 9am and 3pm. This is for people with symptoms and a positive lateral flow test.
Anyone who tests positive on lateral flow is encouraged to return for a confirmatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.
Online/follow-up testing will take place between 9am and 3pm. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It is still important to adhere to social distancing measures. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The rapid turnout tests are supplied by NHS Test and Trace and deliver results within an hour via text message and/or email.
The community testing initiative is run by City of Lincoln Council, in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and the Department of Health and Social Care.