The time leading up to a brand new Disney movie is always an exciting one. I have to admit, I am often skeptical that the new release will make it up there alongside the classics I grew up with. Yet almost every time, Disney pulls through. This is especially the case with Pixar movies. The newest release, Inside Out, has proved itself as having earned its place among its brethren. Now no spoilers, I promise! I’ll just say that the film tells the story of an eleven year old girl named Riley going through a move to California. The real stars, however, are her anthropomorphic emotions who run the show: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. The movie effectively played with the audience’s emotions as well as those of its characters. The setting is imaginative, the music fitting, and the plotline clever. I don't feel it has the inspiring music of Ratatouille or the artistry of Finding Nemo. The music and animation didn't seem as groundbreaking as some other Pixar films, but both suited the movie very well. Above all, the film is relatable. Whether or not a viewer has experienced exactly what Riley goes through, everybody can understand emotional confusion, psychological growing pains, and the often frustrating workings of memory. The movie served as an engaging celebration of the mind. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a theater where everybody burst out laughing so many times. The animated short preceding the film, “Lava,” which portrayed the endearing tale of two volcanoes looking for “love-a,” was marvelous, as well. 

However, half the fun came from a separate part of the experience. I was lucky to be able to purchase tickets for an advance screening on Tuesday, June 16th. Not only was everybody in the theater that night able to see the movie three days early, they were able to benefit from a few other perks. Each guest received a badge and poster. More importantly, before the film, Pete Docter (director) and Jonas Rivera (producer) treated the audience to a filmed tour of the Steve Jobs Building at Pixar Animation Studios. The movie was then followed by an interview with Pete Docter and Amy Poehler, the voice of Joy. Unfortunately, at the theater I went to, viewers were only able to see and hear about half of the interview due to technical difficulties. The questions sent in by viewers and answered that we did hear were fascinating, including the interesting predicament of having a main character – that is, Joy – that originally nobody could stand. But by far I found the tour of the studio to be the best. Docter and Rivera guided the audience through the building, Steve Jobs’ vision. Animators had their offices decked out as everything from a plane crashed in the jungle to a seemingly normal office with a secret passage leading to a tiny lounge club. It wasn’t just the offices that were impressive, though. The audience was treated to glimpses (albeit very, very small ones) of works-in-progress, like The Good Dinosaur, Finding Dory, and Toy Story 4. Some voice actors showed themselves, like Bob Peterson, who voiced Roz from Monsters Inc. and Dug from UP. At the very end, the audience was able to “meet” the master, John Lasseter, who admonished the audience not to peek at work for the upcoming Toy Story 4 and sent off the tour guides with good wishes for the film viewing. It was a real treat for Disney fans to see the enthusiasm present throughout the studio. By the end, everybody I went to see the movie with was prepared to apply for a job at Pixar. Getting a peek behind the scenes of the world of Pixar inspired me not only to enjoy the new movie, but to create my own stories. I hope others felt the same. 

Kathryn Blanco is the Disney Editor for Wandering Educators

Photos courtesy and copyright Kathryn Blanco