What is there to say about Inside Out that the film doesn't already say itself? It is, quite literally, a commentary on the brilliance of Pixar, explaining the emotional ethos of their continued success and showing how pervasive Joy sometimes needs to let in Sadness (Fear, Disgust and Anger are optional) for true mental wellbeing. But that's just one reading. It's also a child-friendly dissection of the inner-workings of the mind, a coming-of-age tale that locks in on the little-covered pre-teen stage, a hilarious comedy that knows when to not make a joke as much as throw in a belly laugh, an accurate portrayal of the malleability of memory, a visually inventive film that stands above even the best in Pixar's oeuvre. It is a parable of growing up that is accessible to anyone at any stage in their life, universal despite being about the very specific situation of an eleven year old girl moving to San Francisco. I don't think I could heap any more praise onto this film than I already have. Every time I watch it there's more hidden details to spot, more genius to realise in its presentation and even more tears to be had at the death of a character who at first seems utterly ridiculous. Inside Out is a phenomenal achievement on any level and, far from being just the best film of 2015, it's also one of the best films of the century. Read the full review here.What was your favourite movie of 2015? And what were the most glaring omissions from this list? Share your thoughts down in the comments.
