Pixar already has a great path to make Inside Out 2 bigger than the original movie and expand the story beyond Riley's mind. The 2015 animated movie is widely regarded as one of Pixar's best, but that is not stopping the animation powerhouse from making a sequel. Inside Out 2 is officially happening, making the original movie the latest to inadvertently launch a franchise. Most details on the Inside Out sequel still remain a mystery. However, if Pixar's track record with sequels has taught viewers anything, it is that they like to go beyond the original concept. That could mean introducing new emotions in Inside Out 2 or completely changing the makeup of its story.
The original Inside Out followed a young girl named Riley as her life is uprooted when her family moves to a new town. The film gave viewers an inside look at how Riley felt by going into her mind and introducing her five primary emotions: Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger. Inside Out thoroughly explored the pre-teen's mind, her core memories, and much more. However, the film was not limited to Riley's perspective. During the ending of Inside Out, the movie featured quick glimpses inside the minds of other people, including Riley's parents. It provided a funny moment for the movie to end on as Riley's mom dreamed of a hunk and Riley's dad's emotions argued.
Showing Riley's parents' emotions could be a reason why Pixar is making the Inside Out sequel. It is known that the sequel will once again follow Riley's life as she goes through puberty and matures as a teenager. This will create some room for the sequel to expand upon Riley's life and the challenges she's facing. Pixar now also has already set up the opportunity for Inside Out 2 to make Riley's parents' emotions a key part of the story. Joy actress Amy Poehler has teased that the franchise is interested in exploring the emotional state of people at various ages going forward. Going inside the minds of Riley's parents could be a smart decision, make the story extend beyond Riley, and help Inside Out 2 avoid Toy Story comparisons.
Inside Out 2 Can Top The Original With More Perspective
The thoughts and emotions that Riley has in Inside Out are quite universal, but there is still a limit to how her specific story can impact audience members. Inside Out 2 showing Riley's parents and their emotions would be a great way to connect with a wider audience. Pixar makes movies for families, and while adults might be able to relate to part of Riley's story by remembering their teenage years, the sequel directly showing what the parents go through raising a teenager would likely resonate very well with the parents watching the movie.
This could be one way that Inside Out 2 can improve upon one of Pixar's best movies. The additional perspective offered by showing the emotions of Riley's parents or even other people she encounters widens the door for individuals to see more of themselves in the story. It also provides a fun opportunity for the cast to play different versions of the same character, while still retaining the usual trend for sequels to add more characters. Inside Out 2 using Riley's parents' emotions and going beyond her teenage perspective would immediately make the sequel feel different from the original.
