Summary
Inside Out 2sees the popular Pixar franchise tackle the thorny topic of puberty, and in doing so has created an unlikely connection to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed Netflix series of all time. Continuing the first movie’s trend of exploring increasingly complex ideas and emotions,Inside Out 2is as much a deep psychological study as it is a lighthearted animated comedy. However, while it’s a clear example of animation proving the perfect medium for exploring complicated ideas, it is far from the first project to take such an approach.
A key feature ofInside Out 2’s story, as was the case with the previous movie, is the concept of autonomous, conscious emotions contributing to aspects of protagonist Riley’s personality.Characters like Joy, Sadness, and new addition Anxietyare all shown acting independently, communicating with one another and exhibiting their own individuality. Thishumanization of emotions has helped theInside Outfranchise stand out. However, there is another animation that employs a very similar approach – albeit with radically different results.
Big Mouth Is The Perfect Companion Piece To Inside Out 2
It Takes A Similar Approach To Its Non-Human Characters
Although its content is vastly different,Netflix’sBig Mouthhas many similarities toInside Out 2. Whereas the Pixar movie focuses on emotions specific to individual people,Big Mouthintroduces incorporeal “Hormone Monsters” – invisible to everyone except the human they’re attached to. Nevertheless, despite not occupying a “control room”-like space inside characters' brains, the role ofBig Mouth’s Hormone Monsters andInside Out 2’s emotionsis almost identical – to help shape and guide their human wards through one of the most challenging times of their lives.
All episodes ofBig Mouthare available to view on Netflix.
It’s important to note that, despite their similar gimmicks,Inside Out 2andBig Mouthare radically different. Like all Pixar movies,Inside Out 2expertly blends child-friendly storytelling with elements that also appeal to an adult audience, making for a family-friendly and intergenerational viewing experience. By contrast,Big Mouthis deliberately crass, explicit, and geared towards many of the more visceral elements of adolescence.
Anyone who goes through teenagehood knows thatInside Out2’s depiction of growing up is heavily censored – avoiding many of the language, antics, and other sordid details that have made shows likeSouth Parkso popular.
However, it is because they address different aspects of the same topic thatInside Out 2andBig Mouthare actually perfect partners. Anyone who goes through teenagehood knows thatInside Out2’s depiction of growing up is heavily censored– avoiding many of the language, antics, and other sordid details that have made shows likeSouth Parkso popular. Likewise,Big Mouthemphasizes the ruder and more sexual elements of puberty to such an extent that it almost passes into the realm of parody. Together, however, the two present an authentically well-rounded view of growing up that almost covers all bases.
Inside Out 2 Review: Anxiety & Envy Breathe New Life Into Formulaic Pixar Sequel
Inside Out 2 leans more towards greatness than redundancy & though it falls short of being one of Pixar’s best, it’s a worthy addition to the library.
Inside Out 2’s New Characters Connect It To Big Mouth
There Are Equivalents In Each Project
The connection betweenBig Mouthand theInside Outfranchise has been evident since the Netflix series debuted in 2017. In many ways, the show is a dark mirror that mocks the innocence ofInside Out’s take on the concept. However, with the new context provided byInside Out 2’s story, the comparison is even more pertinent. Not only is Riley now of the same age as the characters inBig Mouth, but the new emotions that populate her brain create a direct link to many of the show’s most memorable arcs.
BothInside Out 2andBig Mouth, for instance, have a character that represents anxiety. In the movie, the character is literally called Anxiety and is portrayed as an internal source of conflict. By contrast,Big Mouthintroduces Tito the Anxiety Mosquito, who plays the same role of self-sabotage in season 4 – albeit as an external force. There are also parallels betweenInside Out 2’s Embarrassment andBig Mouth’s Shame Wizard. The fact that multiple characters have their equivalents in each project is a telling sign thattheInside OutandBig Mouthfranchises have grown closer togetherwith the release of the 2024 movie.
Inside Out 2 Is Much Darker Than Big Mouth (Despite Being A Pixar Movie)
The Movie’s Story Is Way Scarier
It might seem surprising to suggest thatInside Out 2is more sinister thanBig Mouth. After all, the Netflix series is an explicitly adult animation and can therefore include much more traditionally upsetting material as part of its story. However, whereasBig Mouthuses puerile humor to break any developing danger or tension,Inside Out 2actually offer a much more unremitting depiction of what it’s like to struggle with Anxiety.
Although the Pixar movie does feature some funny moments, the unnerving way thatAnxiety seizes control of Rileyis deeply distressing, making it a much darker story than the original. The fact that something inside her head is responsible, as opposed to an external force that can be confronted, makes Riley (and, by proxy, the audience) feel powerless. It might be designed to have mass-market family appeal, but there’s no denying thatInside Out 2presents some challenging and potentially traumatizing ideas as part of its narrative.
