The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Year: 2015

Director: Francis Lawrence

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, and Sam Claflin
Tagline: The fire will burn forever
Synopsis: As the rebels march on the Capitol, Katniss and a small squad steal forward with one mission in mind: kill President Snow.

Review

Do you ever eat something that tastes good in the moment but then leaves a bitter aftertaste?  That's how Mockingjay Part 2 was for me.

At this point, if you've seen the other movies, you're going to see Mockingjay Part 2, if you haven't already.  If you haven't seen the other movies, you shouldn't start here.  This is very much a part 2 and makes no sense without part 1.  It really doesn't even make much sense without the other movies as well.  It's all one story.

The trouble is, it's not a story I like.  It's grim; from Hunger Games to Mockingjay, it is a grim world and a grim story.  In terms of the films (I haven't read the books) this is the grimmest of the four.  Aside from the epilogue, there's only one point in the film that is hopeful: Finnick and Annie's wedding.  Even that is brought down by Katniss' angst.  Shouldn't that liveliness, that hope for the future be played up more?  Isn't that what everyone is ultimately fighting for: a return to joy and living, rather than war and survival?

To make a story truly epic, you pit good versus evil, where good sacrifices and falls but ultimately triumphs over evil.  This isn't good versus evil.  It's more right versus wrong or (some form of) justice versus tyranny.  The trouble with Mockingjay Part 2 is that it is all about defeating tyranny, getting revenge on Snow, and toppling the Capitol.  It takes the overcoming evil part but uncouples it from the triumph of good.  The good characters either die, are tainted, or are sidelined.  Katniss' final speech rings hollow.  She says she counts the good things people did.  By the time I left the theater I was trying to remember any of those moments.  They weren't emphasized or recollected.  Even if she had just listed a few examples, it would have helped.

In addition to being grim, the movie was slow.  It felt like the film simmered and simmered, but when the time came for a rolling boil ... it simmered then splashed and then simmered its way to the end.

As a film, it was well-made.  The production values were top-notch as ever and the actors did a great job, especially Josh Hutcherson as the tormented Peeta.  The music was good, but mostly in that it echoed a powerful scene from Mockingjay Part 1.

Put simply Mockingjay Part 2 was a good movie.  I'll give it that.  But it wasn't a great movie.  Compared to its predecessor Catching Fire, it was a fizzle.  I had expected more from the Girl on Fire.

*** Spoiler Section ***

A lot of characters die in these books/films.  That's not a spoiler.  Plenty of characters, including main characters die in Mockingjay.  Boggs' death is sad.  It felt like the film handled it well.  Finnick's death is tragic (of all the characters, I found him most intriguing and likable).  I prefer how he dies in the film to how I know he dies in the book.  Still, part of me would have liked a little more closure with his death.

But the death that felt robbed of its power was Prim's.  In the film, the aftermath is all about Katniss' grief for her sister.  She's understandably upset.  But it felt all about Katniss and less about Prim and what she stood for individually and symbolically.  Prim is why Katniss volunteered in the first place.  Prim is the embodiment of everything good worth fighting for in Panem.  That Coin's Machiavellian tactic to end the war killed Prim is hugely symbolic.  For me, the film portrayed it as another death and another reason for Katniss to be angry and move the story forward.

Maybe it's because she didn't get much screen time in Part 2, but Prim's death didn't have any emotional impact.  She was just one more death in a grim movie filled with deaths.  Yes, I knew she was going to die.  But I also knew Dobby and Dumbledore were going to die; that didn't stop those deaths from hitting me in the feels when I watched Harry Potter.

Quotable Quotes

• "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 76th Hunger Games." -- Finnick Odair
• "Miss Everdeen, I thought we agreed never to lie to one another." -- President Snow to Katniss
• "Mockingjay, may your aim be as true as your heart is pure." -- President Coin
• "You always have to make everything difficult." -- Haymitch to Katniss

ISFS

The Peanuts Movie

Year: 2015

Director: Steve Martino

Starring: Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez, Alexander Garfin, Hadley Belle Miller, and Mariel Sheets
Tagline: The story of an underdog.  And his dog.
Synopsis: Charlie Brown tries to impress the Little Red-Haired Girl while Snoopy does battle with his nemesis, the Red Baron.

Review

Like many, I grew up always knowing who Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown, Linus, and Lucy were.  The holiday season included watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas.  When I saw that there would be a new movie starring the Peanuts gang, I was nervous how a wonderful element of my childhood would be treated.  Have no fear.  Charles Schulz might well have personally handed the filmmakers a box with all his comic strips labelled "Handle with Care," for that is how the movie was made.  It helped that Schulz's son and grandson were the writers.

There's a line in The Incredibles: "There's no school like the old school."  The Peanuts Movie is an old school treasure.  This isn't a slick, modernized Charlie Brown shoehorned into 21st century pop culture.  Watching the film was a 90-minute helping of nostalgia.  Charlie Brown still has a rotary phone (and gets tangled in the cord).  Lucy still charges a nickle for her psychiatric counsel.  Snoopy still taps out his novel on a typewriter.  And it is a world where all the neighborhood kids get together to play baseball, go ice skating, or fly kites.

Peanuts is also (relatively) free from gimmicks.  Bucking the celebrity voice trend, all the kids are voiced by actual kids.  The biggest celebrity in the cast list is Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda from the original Broadway cast of Wicked) as Fifi, Snoopy's love interest.  And she doesn't even have dialogue.  Just like Snoopy, she is limited to conversation-like sounds.  Speaking of the famed Beagle, he and pal Woodstock are both voiced by Bill Melendez, who voiced them in the original TV specials.  The filmmakers used archived voice recordings to have Melendez bring Snoopy to life once more.  Oh, and if you are wondering, all adults in the film are "voiced" by a trombone, just as they should be.

The only touch of modernization was in the form of a few pop songs worked into the story.  Even that was low key.  Most of the music is the familiar melodies kids like me grew up with, including the inimitable "Linus and Lucy" theme.

One of the elements that made me, and others, nervous about Peanuts was the animation style.  How do you take something as fundamentally two-dimensional as a comic strip and make it using modern 3D computer animation?  Very carefully and lovingly.  And it works.  The artists were painstakingly faithful to the pencil sketch source material.  Though made in a computer, there's still a hand drawn feel to the film.  There are even some two-dimensional elements woven in as part of the style.  The result is something beautiful, both familiar and new, like a classic car that has been dusted off, fine-tuned, and given a fresh coat of shiny paint.

Peanuts is about as kid friendly a movie as I know of.  It is rated G.  Yes, G.  The Peanuts gang are as clean, wholesome, and fun as the TV specials and comic strips.  There was not a crass or boorish joke to be found (although there were plenty in the movie trailers that preceded the film).  There were no adult jokes slipped in.  The only things that will go over little kids' heads are who the Red Baron is and why the telephone has a cord attached.

If all the above were not enough reason to see The Peanuts Movie, see it for its good message.  Charlie Brown is an everyman.  He's not a "winner" in the worldly sense.  His baseball team never wins.  His kite never soars.  And he can never kick the football.  Time and time again he gets knocked down by life.  And yet he always gets back up, dusts himself off, and tries again.  He perseveres.  Throughout the story, he demonstrates the truthfulness of the Broadway play's title: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.  He is good.  And being good is better than being a "winner."

I completely enjoyed The Peanuts Movie.  Did I mention it's funny?  Because it is really funny.  I think there was a grin on my face the entire film.  If you love Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang, do yourself a favor and check out The Peanuts Movie.  And stay through the comics-strewn credits for one final chuckle.

Quotable Quotes

• "It was a dark and stormy night ... " -- Snoopy's novel
• "Good grief." -- Charlie Brown
• "I can't afford a mortgage!  What if I'm put into escrow?" -- Charlie Brown
• "Wah wah-wah." -- All adults

ISFS

The Martian

Year: 2015

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, and Sebastian Stan
Tagline: Bring Him Home
Synopsis: During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed killed in a storm and is left behind.  Watney must figure out how to survive while NASA figures out how to rescue him.

Review

First off: no, I have not read the book.  So I can't compare the two.  But I can say that The Martian is a fantastic movie that I recommend, whether you have read the book or not.

The two strongest selling points for the film are the story and the main character.  While the basic plot is straightforward -- a man gets stranded in a desolate place and must learn to survive until he can be rescued -- the plot still feels fresh.  This is Cast Away ... but on Mars.  Mars.  Freezing cold.  Air you can't breath.  No water.  No food.  The stakes are so much higher, which means Watney has to rely on more than just survival instincts.  He has to use all his ingenuity and scientific/engineering know-how to keep himself alive and produce what he needs.

What really helps the story is how grounded in reality it is.  Sure, the film (and the book) took some scientific liberties for the sake of a compelling story.  But so much of the story is rooted in actual science.  The film might be described as a two-hour recruitment ad for engineering and botany.

Mark Watney is also a terrific character.  Despite his situation and setback after setback, he maintains a positive attitude.  He simply refuses to give up or feel sorry for himself.  Everything that happens is just one more problem to solve.  To keep himself sane, he uses video logs to document his time on Mars.  Basically it feels like he's narrating his own story to the audience, which works really well.  It keeps him up close and personal, allowing his humor and unflagging optimism to drive the film.

You might expect The Martian to be a serious drama.  It certainly has lots of drama and is a gripping story from start to finish.  But it is also a very humorous film.  It doesn't go out of its way to be funny.  This isn't trying to be a comedy.  The humor comes as a natural outgrowth of the characters, primarily Watney.  Rather than get discouraged, he sees the humor in (most) every situation.  It helps him keep his sanity and lightens the tension of the film.

While this is primarily Mark Watney/Matt Damon's film, the rest of the cast do an outstanding job as well.  I especially liked Commander Lewis, as portrayed by Jessica Chastain.  The film mirrors the story.  Watney/Damon does his part, but it is all the other characters/actors coming together to do their parts that leads to a rescue/film being possible.

One other thing that stood out in The Martian is the visual look of the film.  Obviously, filming on location wouldn't work out so well and wasn't within the budget.  But to look at the finished product, you might think they really did set up filming on Mars.  The country of Jordan was the actual stand-in, with some CGI assistance.  The Hermes -- the spacecraft used to take the crew between Earth and Mars -- is also a beautiful set.  I also liked the use of Watney's video logs to show/tell most of his experience.  It's visually different and pulls the audience in.

As much as I enjoyed the film, I should mention a few caveats.  The chiefest of which is swearing.  I've heard the book swears quite a bit.  The film keeps the swearing within PG-13 boundaries.  There are two explicit f-words and a handful of implied ones.  The s-word is also used a number of times.  I wish they'd found a better way to express themselves.  While there is no violence, there is a scene where Watney is injured and must tend to his own wound.  If you are squeamish, that might be a good time to take interest in that bit of spilled popcorn on the floor.  There is also a bare backside shot which is used to establish how much weight Watney has lost during his ordeal.  Again, there were probably other ways to show that.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Martian.  It is one of the most well-crafted films and gripping stories I've seen in quite a while.  It's a movie about the triumph of optimism, ingenuity, and persistence.  Botany has never seemed so cool.

*** Spoiler Section ***

One of the most humorous parts of the film (for me) was watching Sean Bean's character explaining about the Council of Elrond after another character is confused about "Project Elrond."  Sean Bean portrays Boromir, who is of course present at the Council of Elrond in The Fellowship of the Ring.  I was really hoping he'd follow up with something along the lines of: "One does not simply slingshot to Mars."  Alas.  Missed nerd opportunity.

The other part I chuckled heartily at was Watney explaining how Mars is technically under maritime law.  So when he commandeers a vehicle/vessel without permission, that makes him a pirate.  Mark Watney: Space Pirate.

Apparently the book ends with Watney being rescued and pulled aboard the Hermes.  I thought the film's addition of an epilogue worked quite well.  As a viewer, I wanted to know how Watney dealt with what he'd been through.  And I was curious about the repercussions the crew would face after their mutiny.  Putting it against the backdrop of the next Ares mission worked well.

Quotable Quotes

• "This is Mark Watney ... and I'm still alive.  Obviously." -- Watney
• "I'm the best botanist on this planet." -- Watney
• "I'm really excited to not die here." -- Watney to NASA
• "You have terrible taste in music." -- Watney to Lewis

ISFS

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Year: 2015

Director: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alica Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, and Hugh Grant
Tagline: Saving the world never goes out of style
Synopsis: When a criminal organization gets its hands on a atomic bomb, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin must team up to stop them.

Review

Although I watched many a 60s TV show as a kid, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was not one of them.  I'd heard of it.  That is all.  So I went into the film with no preconceived notions.

It is unfortunate that The Man from U.N.C.L.E. came out on the heels of Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.  It thus fell under the radar and has fallen victim to comparison.  Of the two, M:I5 wins. Hands down.  No question.  But that doesn't make U.N.C.L.E. any less fun to watch.

One of the best things The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has going for it is its setting.  Rather than contemporize it, the film takes place in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War.  The nostalgic, retro feel helps set it apart from all the other spy movies this year.  It also necessitates that the film not rely heavily on the espionage trope of gadgets.  There is probably more technological wizardry in 5 minutes of M:I5 than in all of U.N.C.L.E.  As much as I love geek-out gadgets, it is a welcome change to see special agents not relying on them.

Although not as edge of your seat as M:I5, U.N.C.L.E. does deliver in the thrills department, with all the requisite car chases, shootouts, and explosions.  Much of the film is also set against the gorgeous backdrop of Italy.  Director Guy Ritchie has a very visual style.  If you've seen either of his Sherlock Holmes films, you know what I mean.  It's hard to describe, but quite fun to watch.

As stylish as the movie is, there's not a lot beneath it.  The plot could well be an extended TV episode.  It brings nothing new to the espionage table.  And all the style in the world can't cover the plot holes.  Style is great, but there should be more substance to go with it.

The two main characters are Napoleon Solo of the CIA and Illya Kuryakin of the KGB (or "Cowboy" and "Red Peril" as they dub each other).  The two are complete opposites and thus make for an enjoyable duo to watch.  Solo is a dashing, suave, womanizing, semi-reformed thief (basically the 60s spy version of Neal Caffrey from TV's White Collar).  Kuryakin is quiet, stern, intense, and given to lashing out when provoked.  Watching the two of them go from foes to reluctant partners to allies is one of the most fun parts of the film.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has a good share of humor, though some of it is a darker humor than you'd find in Mission:Impossible.  U.N.C.L.E. is also a bit risque.  As mentioned, Solo is a womanizer.  I haven't seen a James Bond film in a very long time, so I can't compare.  If you've seen other Guy Ritchie films, you can probably guess the level of risque, and also the level of violence.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is by no means a film for everyone, due to some of its darker elements.  But I found it to be a very fun, very stylish film.  It's too bad it favors style over substance.  If you want to see a first rate spy film, see Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.  If you want to also see a second rate but still fun spy film, see The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Quotable Quotes

• "For a special agent, you're not having a very special day, are you?" -- Waverly
• "What does that [a statement in Russian] mean?"  "He said, 'Don't kill your new partner on the first day.'"  "I know what he said.  What does it mean?" -- Napoleon Solo and Sanders
• "Did you disable the alarm?"  "There's no alarm on [this model of safe]." [An alarm starts to blare]  "Loving your work, Cowboy." -- Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Solo

ISFS

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Year: 2015

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Ferguson, Alec Baldwin, and Sean Harris
Tagline: Desperate Times.  Desperate Measures
Synopsis: When the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) is disbanded, Ethan Hunt and a few loyal colleagues are left on their own to bring down a deadly rogue organization known as the Syndicate.

Review

Hands down, Rogue Nation is the best action movie I've seen in quite a while.  It is certainly the best I've seen this year (sorry Marvel).  From start to finish, all I could think was, "Wow."  It's everything I want in an action movie.

The highly publicized airplane stunt -- where Tom Cruise is hanging from an airplane that is taking off and flying away -- is how the movie starts.  And the action and thrills don't let up from there.  The pacing is terrific, giving the audience just enough time to catch their breaths and keep up with where the plot is headed before the next heart-thumping action sequence kicks into gear.  I don't want to give anything away; it's just too much fun.

If there were plot holes, I didn't notice them.  I was having too much fun keeping up with where things were going, who was loyal to whom, what was actually going on, and how on earth they were going to set everything right by the end.  I love a film that can keep me guessing.  It's one thing to be on the edge of your seat for the action.  It's another to be on the edge of your seat for the story.  It's an exciting ride when you get both.

I really like Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise's character).  He's an incredible spy who does things no normal person would even think of doing (like hanging from a plane that is taking off).  But unlike a certain other spy who always seems so suave and stoic, Ethan feels more relatable.  More often than not he has his back against the wall and you can see the flash of panic as he tries to figure out what to do.  He's about to dive into a swirling vortex of potential death, and for one brief moment you can see the "what the heck am I about to do?" look in his eyes.  Plus, Ethan is loads more fun and has infinitely higher moral standards than that other spy.

There's one bit of cleverness I'd like to point out.  One sequence of the film takes place during a performance of Puccini's opera Turandot.  That story features riddles to be solved and the final act has a "ticking clock" where one character must figure out the identity of another character before sunrise.  The well-known song from Turandot is "Nessun Dorma," which means "none shall sleep."  All of that is very apropos for a spy film and this film in particular.

On top of all its action, plot twisting, and geek-out gadgetry, Rogue Nation is also humorous.  And it's the best kind of humorous, the kind that comes naturally from the characters and the situations.  Saving the world from the Syndicate is serious business.  But that's no reason to take everything so straight-faced and dour.  By all means, poke fun at the fact you brought a huge four-wheel drive vehicle to a motorcycle chase through a city with narrow streets.

The violence in Rogue Nation is similar to the previous installment.  There's a lot of punching and shooting.  But there is almost no blood.  There might have been some mild language; at this point I don't recall.  There was one mildly risque moment.  But it is risque by Mission: Impossible standards.  I've seen movie trailers for that other spy that were more risque than this film.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go see Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.  If you enjoy pulse-pounding action, incredible stunts, and spiffy spy gadgetry, you won't be disappointed.  This review will [likely not] self-destruct in five seconds ...

*** Spoiler Section ***

The whole sequence with Director Hunley and the British prime minister was simply well played.  Bravo IMF.  Bravo.

That's as spoilery as I'm going to get.  Just see the film.

Quotable Quotes

• "I can neither confirm nor deny any details about any operation without the permission of the Secretary." -- William Brandt (repeated line)
• "Join IMF they said.  See the world....  On a screen.  In a closet." -- Benji Dunn
• "Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Are you sure you wanna drive?  A minute ago you were dead."  "What are you talking about?"  "This isn't gonna end well." -- Benji Dunn and Ethan Hunt

ISFS

Ant-Man

Year: 2015

Director: Peyton Reed

Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Pena, and lots and lots of CGI ants
Tagline: This July, heroes don't come any bigger.
Synopsis: With dangerous technology about to be in the wrong hands, Dr. Hank Pym enlists semi-reformed cat-burglar Scott Lang to become the Ant-Man.

Review

If I had to sum Marvel's Ant-Man up in one word, it would be "refreshing."  I wasn't particularly excited for this film.  And frankly, a bit of superhero ennui has been setting in.  Ant-Man was just what the proverbial doctor ordered.

First up, the movie is simply fun.  There were plenty of witty moments and chuckle-worthy gags throughout the film.  Paul Rudd has great charisma.  The whole thing was a joy to watch.

Second, appropriately for a movie about a hero who can shrink to the size of an ant, Ant-Man is a welcome change of scope.  Recent films like Age of Ultron or Guardians of the Galaxy have the superheros saving entire cities and worlds.  Everything is on a massive scale.  Ant-Man features a (terrific) fight in a briefcase that then ends in the suburbs.  Yes, the stakes are high.  But it manages to be more personal because it is scaled back.  We are allowed to feel more invested in Scott's character and his relationship with his daughter (and Hank's relationship with his daughter).

Third, the visuals are fantastic as always.  So many of the Marvel heroes either punch or throw things as their skill.  Yes, Ant-Man punches, but he does so in a visually new way as he bounces back and forth between normal and ant-sized.  It's different.  And different is good.  Oh, and did I mention he rides on ants, including a flying ant he dubs "Antony"?  One of the most visually impressive parts of the film is Ant-Man riding Antony through an exploding server room.

From beginning to end (and post-credits end), Ant-Man makes sure you know this film is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  There are a few subtle references and some not-so-subtle references.  And there are a handful of well-placed cameos as well.

Is Ant-Man brilliant cinema?  Well, no.  But it is one of the most fun and enjoyable films I've seen this year.  It really was refreshing, even more so because it was unexpected.  If you haven't taken the time to see it yet, I highly recommend Ant-Man.

Quotable Quotes

• "Baskin-Robbins always finds out." -- Baskin-Robbins Manager
• "It's not about saving our world.  It's about saving theirs." -- Dr. Hank Pym
• "I just ruined the moment, didn't I?"  "Yes, you did." -- Scott Lang and Dr. Hank Pym
• "It's not a keychain." -- Dr. Hank Pym
• "We've got multiple shots fired.... And there's a tank." -- Paxton

ISFS

Inside Out

Year: 2015

Director: Pete Doctor & Ronaldo Del Carmen

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, and Richard Kind
Tagline: Meet the little voices inside your head.
Synopsis: Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger are 11-year-old Riley's emotions.  Their job is to keep Riley going, a job that gets more difficult when she and her family move from Minnesota to San Francisco.

Review

Before I dive into Inside Out, I should mention the short film that precedes it: "Lava."  The short film tells the story of a volcanic island that just wants someone to "lava" (wordplay on "love").  It's a nice little story with the beautiful animation we've come to expect from Pixar.  The song the volcano sings is also lovely ("lavaly"?).  It's a nice short, though perhaps not the brilliance of "Geri's Game" or "Boundin'."

On to our feature presentation ...

Inside Out is fantastic!  I've liked their last few films, but this is truly a return to the Pixar we know and love.  It's such a crazy idea that could only be brought to life through animation.  Much of the movie takes place inside Riley's brain, which is the most colorful, zany, and yet psychologically sound place you could imagine.  The world the animators have created is so rich and detailed, you'll likely be finding new things on the 5th and 10th viewings (and it is worth that many viewings).  And longtime Pixar collaborator Michael Giacchino does his usual fabulous job with the score.

Pixar is known for being outstanding in its animation.  And Inside Out lives up to that.  It is visually stunning.  If you look at the different emotions, they appear sort of fuzzy.  They are described as being made up of energy, which gives them a fun and unique look that totally works for personified emotions.

While Pixar always excels visually, what makes Pixar Pixar is its dedication to story, stories that are honest, humorous, and heartfelt.  Inside Out is pure Pixar.  This isn't a story about the goofy antics of personified emotions interacting, although there is plenty of that.  This is a film that has the courage to say emotions can be good, they can be bad, they are sometimes hard, but they are always necessary.  When's the last time a movie or television show -- aimed at kids or adults -- showed the importance and need for sadness in our lives?  Beneath all the sight gags and stunning visuals, Inside Out is about what it means to be human and what it means to grow up.

There is no villain in Inside Out, which in and of itself is unusual for a movie aimed at children.  Although the five emotions are very different, they work together.  None of the emotions are presented as negative.  They each have a purpose in Riley's life.  We tend to view fear and anger as negative things that are bad.  But those emotions really do have purposes in our lives and the task of life is to bridle them, not pretend they don't exist.  As the story shows, while feeling certain emotions is hard and unpleasant, it is far worse to feel nothing.  Numbness is worse than any emotion.

Fear, as shown in the movie, is tasked with keeping Riley safe.  Fear is the voice saying, "Wear your seatbelt because you never know what might happen."  A little fear is good, unless you let it paralyze you.  Likewise, Anger is all about what is right and fair.  Anger is the one saying, "That's not how things should be" or "I should stand up for myself."  It's when anger consumes that it becomes bad.  Disgust is important too ... but I haven't figured that one out as much.  But she'll save you from broccoli pizza.

The film is primarily about Joy and Sadness, both as characters and emotions.  Disgust is green with green eyes and green hair.  Fear is purple with purple eyes.  Anger is red with red eyes.  And Sadness is blue with blue eyes and blue hair.  But Joy is yellow with blue eyes and blue hair.  Those features may in part be because it makes for a stunning contrast (and they didn't want her to look jaundiced), but it also visually shows the connection between Joy and Sadness.  That connection is at the heart of the story.  That connection is what makes Inside Out not only an excellent film, but also an important film.

Joy just wants Riley to be happy, so she doesn't understand Sadness or her purpose.  She doesn't understand that you can't have one without the other.  You can't understand one without the other.  Learning the interwoven balance between joy and sadness is a fundamental part of life.  Yes, "men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).  But that very same chapter states that there must be "opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11).  During His life, Jesus Christ had perfect faith and a perfect perspective, so we might think He was perfectly happy.  Yet He is described as "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).  There are times for joy and there are times for sadness.  And there are times for both, because we're human and wonderfully complicated like that.

Did I mention that Inside Out is also incredibly funny?  Because it is.

If you haven't already seen Inside Out, go see it.  If you have seen it, go see it again.  I plan to.  And I expect to find even more brilliant nuances and insights.

Quotable Quotes

• "We did not die today.  I call that an unqualified success!" -- Fear
• "Crying helps me slow down and obsess over the weight of life's problems." -- Sadness
• "Well, I just saved our lives.  Yeah, you're welcome." -- Disgust (after "saving" Riley from broccoli)
• "Oooh airplane.  We've got an airplane, everybody." -- Anger
• "Can I say that curse word now?" -- Anger

*** Spoiler Section ***

I put things in the spoiler section hoping you won't read them until after you've seen the film.  Obviously whether or not you follow that is your decision.  But in this instance, I strongly encourage seeing the film first (I even moved this section below the quotes to avoid accidental reading).  What follows isn't some huge plot twist a la The Sixth Sense.  But it is a pretty touching point in the film.  It gave me a case of the sniffles.  And I heard the adult behind me in the theater get a case of the sniffles too.

When Bing Bong and Joy are trying to escape from the Memory Dump, I was surprised they didn't make it the first time.  And then they failed again and I was wondering if there was something more for Joy to learn before they could reach the surface again.  And then on the third time Bing Bong jumped quietly out of the rocket and my heart kinda broke.

It's not that Bing Bong is the most brilliant character ever* whom we absolutely adored (like Ellie in Up).  What makes his sacrifice and fading from memory sad is what he represents.  He's not just an imaginary friend, he's a part of childhood: a goofy and joyous innocence.  Bing Bong fading away isn't painful because it is unexpected.  It's painful because as an adult looking back, I realize it was inevitable.  Imaginary friends are ephemeral by nature.  And some aspects of childhood are simply lost as we grow up.  It's a little heartbreaking, looking back and realizing what we lose as we grow up, or what our children lose as they grow up.

I may also have gotten a bit choked up when that first new mixed memory rolled out.  It wasn't yellow; it wasn't blue.  It was both.  It was both sadness and joy together, which rings so emotionally true.

* In retrospect, my fondness for Bing Bong has grown incredibly.  Initially I distrusted him in the film (which was the filmmakers' intention).  I wondered if this was another Stinky Pete or Lotso who would do anything to forward his own agenda.  Once he loses his sled and has his moment with Sadness, I knew Bing Bong was trustworthy.  And now, as I look at all he represents -- childhood, innocence, imagination, dreams -- I think he is one of the great characters in Pixar's who's who.  So thank you, Bing Bong, for loving Riley enough.  "Take her to the moon for me, Joy."

ISFS