It’s been a few years since Pixar has put out a  movie that is an original story (not a sequel). There has been some speculation among fans about the possibility that the golden days of Pixar were over. Cars 2, Planes, and Monsters University were all good movies, but they weren’t the instant classics that Pixar had successfully put out  year after year beginning in 1995 with Toy Story and ending with Toy Story 3 in 2010. Even Brave in 2012, though a really good movie, seemed to be missing some of the Pixar magic. Had the animation crown fallen from the head of Pixar only to be picked up by illumination with their very funny Despicable Me movies? That question has now been answered for me. No.

Inside Out picks up where Toy Story 3 left off when it comes to a script that is nothing short of brilliant, colorful multi-layered characters that we can’t help but fall in love with, and a story arc that has us smiling frowning laughing and crying at all the right times.  Inside Out gives us two stories that seem as opposite as possible. One is the abstract fantasy type story of the emotions inside an 11-year-old’s head. The other is the very realistic story of the same girl as she goes through a traumatic move across the country with her parents. The two stories blend perfectly and are equally engaging in their own way. The last 20 minutes of the film had me wiping many tears from my eyes. What amazed me most was the realization that I was crying for the blue haired fantasy characters just as much as I was crying for the 11 year old girl.

It’s obvious that I’m giving Inside Out a big STAR. It’s the perfect movie for parents to watch with their kids, as every generation will find plenty to love about Inside Out. I saw it with my two girls (10 and 12). They came away just as much in love with this movie as I did. To Director Pete Docter, and everyone else at Pixar who brought us this movie, I’d like to say, “Thank you for continuing to make wonderful movies that families can enjoy together.”