Image: Pixar Studios
If you haven’t already seen it, Disney Pixar’s Inside Out is an incredible film that you have to experience. In traditional Pixar fashion, they’ve created a layered experience that people any age can enjoy. It’s one of those movies that will stay with you after seeing it and if you think about it long enough, you’ll come away with some interesting lessons. Here are three that stood out after watching the film.
The Importance of Creativity – Pixar has an amazing set of films in their library. From Toy Story to A Bug’s Life to The Incredibles, each film has set the bar higher and higher for creativity, storytelling, character development and filmmaking. Their work is art. As technology advances, their films also advance in all of these aspects pushing the creative boundaries with each theatrical release – and that includes the pre-film shorts.
The Importance of Memories – Without spoiling too much for anyone who hasn’t seen Inside Out, let’s just say one of the key themes of the film is the importance of our memories. This is a theme close to our hearts and a good reason why we make the products we make.
Did you know that if struck by disaster, the most common item people wish they could have recovered is photographs? In fact, 57% of people were more upset about losing their data than their gadget.”[1]
Memories can only be made once; they make an impression only once. Sometimes that impression is strong, other times faint. And like in the film, once they’re gone, then they’re gone forever. Yet with an external hard drive, any memory can be revisited over and over without having to rely on your own recollection.
The Importance of Family – Another key theme from the film is the importance of family. While in this case, the family foundation is specific to Riley’s parents, what was underlying is the familial bond created by Riley’s emotions – Joy, Disgust, Sadness Fear and Anger.
By coming together as a familial unit, Riley’s emotions helped her cope with everything she was experiencing and in the process learned the value of their relationship with one another.
The same applies to life. The “family” we connect with, biologically or otherwise, are relationships that shape and define us. The parents we have shape the type of parents we become. The friendships we have are a reflection of our values and not just the kind of people we are, but the kind of people we want to be.
Inside Out is a vibrant, passionate, film that will both encompass and amaze you. Pixar did an incredible job taking an original concept and giving it depth and breadth that has mass appeal with a little something for everyone. The summer movie list is long this year, but you owe it to yourself to make sure Inside Out is on it.
