Inside Out 2 arrives in cinemas this week, and we now have the first reactions to the long-awaited Pixar sequel.
The sequel to the hugely-successful 2015 movie sees Riley turn 13, bringing some new emotions into her mind in the form of Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser).
Ahead of its release this Friday (June 14), those lucky few to have already seen Inside Out 2 have taken to Twitter to share their first reactions to the sequel.
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So does it live up to Inside Out?
"No need to be anxious about Inside Out 2. The Pixar sequel approaches growing up in the same funny, inventive and affecting way as the first movie," wrote Digital Spy's movies editor Ian Sandwell.
"It doesn't hit quite as hard emotionally (no 'take her to the moon' moment), but it delivers a relatable message in a winning way."
Variety's Jazz Tangcay hailed Inside Out 2 as "animation perfection", calling it a very worthy sequel: "Inside Out 2 heralds Pixar back to top form. Everything from animation to story and the introduction of Anxiety, Envy and Embarrassment make this one of the best sequels in ages.
"Filled with great laughs, plenty of easter eggs and lots of emotion. This is animated perfection."
Toronto Star's Peter Howell was also taken with the new character additions, calling the new emotions "more creative" and saying he preferred them to the original five.
"Inside Out 2 is a MASTERPIECE! A JOYFUL WONDER from beginning to end that truly personifies anxiety," wrote The Movie Podcast's Shahbaz. "Maya Hawke and Amy Poehler are as lovely as ever, with newcomers adding even more brilliance. This touching Pixar classic will have you experiencing all the sweet emotions."
One reviewer praised Stranger Things star Maya Hawke in particular, saying she was a "massive standout" in a film with a "huge heart".
This was echoed by The Movie Podcast's Daniel Baptista, who wrote: "Maya Hawke is UNFORGETTABLE as Anxiety."
Ahead of its release, Inside Out 2 was confirmed to be slightly shorter than the first movie, clocking in at 96 minutes long compared to Inside Out's 100-minute runtime.
UK audiences will also notice a difference with the sequel as Sam Thompson has a UK voice cameo as Security Man Sam. Talking to Digital Spy, he expressed his surprise at being asked to be in the sequel.
"It wasn't even a question. Like, 'Tell me where and when, I’ll be there'," he recalled. "I don't think I've got a particularly good voice, but I only do like three lines. So, obviously it's not the biggest deal in the world.
"It's such a bucket list thing, to be able to go in and do something that all of these amazing people do."
Inside Out 2 is released in cinemas on June 14.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
Emily is an experienced freelance entertainment writer and editor, reporting on all things TV, film, soaps and showbiz. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, with a First Class Honours degree in Journalism from the University of Sussex, Emily is a former Deputy News Editor and Evening News Editor at Digital Spy. She has previously worked at Hello magazine, BBC South News and GoodtoKnow.
A small and big-screen obsessive – with subscriptions to every TV and film service under the sun – Emily knows her movie stars from soap stars, and is always clued up on the latest reality show dumping, just-dropped trailer or off-screen spat. She's interviewed a number of celebrities over the years, with highlights including The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett and GMB's Kate Garraway (who "loved" her trousers).
Emily counts Sharon Horgan and Julia Davis as her TV heroes, and is a loyal Wes Anderson fan. LinkedIn
