Pixar’s “Inside Out” took the world by storm this summer, finally bringing some original material from everyone’s favorite animation company. There definitely wasn’t a dry eye in the theater by the end (RIP Bing Bong).
While everyone loves Amy Poehler’s adorable Joy and Phyllis Smith’s show-stealing Sadness, we probably don’t stop to think about the incredible role models they make for kids and adults alike, even better than the Disney princesses all young girls adore. What? How could a little yellow fairy with a pixie cut be a better role model than a beautiful princess with a dream? Hear me out.
For one thing, while Joy and Sadness both have very different outlooks on life, they do their best to work together for one very important purpose: making Riley’s life the best that it can be. Instead of just looking out for themselves (or their cute animal friends), these two realize that they must put aside their differences to get back to headquarters not for their own benefit, but for Riley’s. As Joy begins to realize Sadness’s true abilities, she teaches us all that everyone can do something good, despite how incapable they may seem.
Secondly, most princesses (save the more modern ones) exert helplessness when it comes to achieving their final goal. Even if they do try to take charge, they end up having to be rescued by a dashing man with a sword. Not so with our little glowing friends. The minute Joy is knocked out of headquarters, she immediately makes the best of a bad situation and begins to think of ways back. Even in her darkest moments where it seems like there is no hope at all, Joy continues plotting and thinking positively, even if Sadness just wants to flop on the ground. However, even when Sadness decides to give up, she still agrees to follow Joy, showing us that no matter how disheartened we are, there is always something we can do to bring ourselves to the light again.
Most importantly, kids can learn that it’s okay not to be okay. Sometimes, you just have to let sadness take over, as we realize in a particularly wonderful moment where Bing Bong cannot be cheered up by silly faces; he just needs a good cry to get him back on track. Sometimes, even Joy feels despair and breaks down, but it leads her to her brightest idea yet. Rather than feeling like they must be happy all the time to please a prince or someone else, children (and even grownups) can find the good in their emotional moments and realize that it’s all just part of life. Everything will be okay in the end.
So not only is “Inside Out” Pixar’s best movie since “Up,” it’s also an amazing take on the human brain that shows every side of emotions to kids, presenting them with wonderful lessons they wouldn’t learn from the princesses and their helplessness. Joy and Sadness taught us all something this summer, and that won’t soon be forgotten.
