There’s much to be said about the latest edition of the successful animated film Inside Out 2. I limit myself to two points – both extremes – and I’ll start with a big win for the film and then turn to its glaring failing.

The film’s premise and plot are psychological – emotions depicted as animated characters in the psyche of a girl, Riley, who is hitting puberty. The emotions jockey for control, work together, and conflict with new emerging feelings – all mirroring life.

In the film, the intense character/emotion of Anxiety, takes over and wreaks havoc in Riley’s life. Anxiety pulls her away from her true self. It is not until all the emotions “let go” of trying to change and control Riley that she is able to experience freedom – and her true self. The visual power of cinema is perfect for the delivery of these messages, which include the release of the control panel, the embracing of the difficult (all the emotion........

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