Ever since 2020’s Soul, the quality of Pixar’s films definitely took on a different direction. While they weren’t bad movies, many of them were fun and cute, they lacked that emotional gut punch most Pixar films are known for and came across, for lack of a better description, as Disney movies first and foremost. I’m happy to report that Inside Out 2 is definitely the best film the studio has made since Soul by a long shot and is absolutely worth a watch.

Inside Out 2 catches us up with Riley and her core emotions (Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger) a few years after the events of the last movie. Everything is going pretty well for her, she’s got best friends, is a model student and is a great hockey player. But things are about to take a wild turn into unknown territory as Riley starts puberty. This just so happens to be happening right when she’s taking part in a weekend hockey camp, which could net her a place on a prestigious team and Riley finds herself trying to balance the prospect of new friends with her old friends, who she may not see as “cool” anymore next to these older students. So, no pressure or anything. And with that comes the introduction of new emotions for Riley to contend with, including Ennui (boredom), Envy, and Embarrassment (with a cameo from Nostalgia).

But the biggest addition to the roster is Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke. She’s the obvious “antagonist” of the film, but Pixar, writers Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein, and first-time director Kelsey Mann wisely never make her evil or a monster. In fact, Anxiety wants nothing but the best for Riley and when she opts to literally bottle up the old emotions to take control of Riley’s future, it’s up to Joy and the gang to take on the daunting task of getting back to headquarters and getting Anxiety off the throttle. I really appreciated that Riley genuinely thought she was doing the right thing and had no ill intentions in mind. Anxiety was worried about the future, how Riley would be perceived, and her social standing, but so much worry isn’t a good thing.

It’s a surprisingly complex and nuanced story and much like Soul, I wonder how much of it will really resonate with younger viewers, who may not be able to relate to these new emotions. I’m sure they’d get a kick out of the gorgeous animation and art direction and the overall quest to get back to HQ, but I think the more nuanced aspects will hit harder for teens and adults. And it’s more than just Anxiety taking root in Riley’s mind, we also have to contend with the core emotions’ own state, where do they fit in and do they ever feel anything beyond their named state?

But it’s not just heavy emotional feels, this is a surprisingly funny movie and one filled with creative visualizations of the mind. A new character named Lance, an old video game character manifested in Riley’s mind, was hilarious and visual cues such as a giant canyon called a “sarcasm” serve both the plot while also making us laugh.

Most of the story hinges on Joy (Amy Poehler) and Anxiety as they have the most impact on the narrative. As such, some of the other emotions, including Sadness and newcomers like Envy, do end up feeling sidelined a bit here. It never harms the movie, but it is a bit noticeable that some characters get pushed to the side. Everyone gets a moment, but some hit harder than others.

In the end, Inside Out 2 is an easy recommendation. Not only that but this is a sequel that stands just as tall or maybe even taller than its predecessor. It does what so many classic Pixar films do and finds a story worth telling for adults and children.