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- Inside Out 2 and Eighth Grade Tackle Teen Pressure and Expectations
- Inside Out 2 and Eighth Grade Explore the Images We Present to the World
- Both Films Understand Fundamental Truths About Growing Up
As a person who has gone through the tumultuous journey of adolescence and adulthood, I can wholeheartedly say that both ‘Eighth Grade’ and ‘Inside Out 2’ have struck a chord deep within my heart. These films have an uncanny ability to capture the essence of growing up – the struggle, the anxiety, the search for identity, and the eventual acceptance of oneself.
Four months following its premiere, it’s evident that the much-anticipated sequel to “Inside Out” has proven to be just what Disney and Pixar had been eagerly waiting for, given their challenging past few years. A combination of questionable marketing strategies, mediocre audience response, and an adaptation difficulty to the shift in viewer habits from cinemas to streaming platforms like Disney+ had taken a toll on this once invincible animation studio. However, “Inside Out 2” surpassed all predictions; it not only won praise from critics and admirers of the original masterpiece but also holds the record for Pixar’s highest-grossing film release to date.
What makes Inside Out 2 stand out, despite not quite reaching the flawless level of its predecessor, is its subtle transformation of genre. As the protagonist, young Riley, approaches high school, the film delves more into her social life, mirroring the style of coming-of-age high school movies like The Edge of Seventeen and Lady Bird (it’s worth noting that most films in this genre aren’t intended for children). However, Inside Out 2 shares the most similarities with the underappreciated 2018 dramedy, Eighth Grade.
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Inside Out 2 and Eighth Grade Tackle Teen Pressure and Expectations
Eighth Grade, marking the directorial debut of Bo Burnham, centers around Kayla (Elsie Fisher), a girl in her last weeks of eighth grade. The story, largely composed of individual episodes, delves into her complex relationship with her father (Josh Hamilton), her attempts to find a boyfriend, and her frequent use of social media to share motivational videos for her audience.
In his candid discussions, Bo Burnham shares how his longstanding battles with anxiety and panic attacks significantly influenced the creation of Eighth Grade. This insight greatly contributes to understanding why Burnham, a middle-aged white man, exhibits remarkable sensitivity when depicting the life of a teenage girl. Moreover, Burnham’s background as an Internet sensation for many years provides him with unique insights into the influence of social media in today’s society. As a result, Eighth Grade is not only a poignant portrayal of peer pressure and social anxiety but also a standout contribution to the coming-of-age comedy genre of the 2010s.
In the sequel of “Inside Out 2”, although it’s more of a mainstream family film, it continues to effectively utilize awkward humor. During a summer hockey camp, Riley, excited about spending time with her best friends before they part ways for different schools in the fall, finds herself pressured by her new emotions, particularly Anxiety. This emotional force motivates her to concentrate on her aspirations as a hockey player and secure a spot on her future school’s team, the Firehawks, even if it requires sacrificing her longstanding friendships.
Similar to the movie “Eighth Grade,” “Inside Out 2” poignantly portrays the intense pressure on teenagers to focus on their social standing and how this tension exacerbates anxiety for all parties involved. Although it doesn’t offer the same critique of social media, it does share the same insight that the end of middle school signifies a significant period of change for everyone involved. This realization underscores that there are aspects of life more valuable than popularity or being part of the popular crowd.
Inside Out 2 and Eighth Grade Explore the Images We Present to the World
In the film Eighth Grade, Bo Burnham skillfully explores a contemporary aspect of growing up – the struggle to align our real selves with the image we show online. The protagonist, Kayla, masks her inner insecurities by presenting an air of confidence and offering motivational advice to her viewers, giving the impression that she has successfully navigated the challenges of adolescence and holds all the solutions.
As a movie critic, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which have become an integral part of our daily lives, often serving as a mere facade. However, maturing brings wisdom, and it becomes evident that adults are just as perplexed and in search of answers as teenagers – a poignant truth portrayed through a heartwarming scene where Kayla mends her relationship with her father. The film concludes with another one of Kayla’s videos, but this time, she is beginning to align her internal struggles with her external persona. She acknowledges her feelings of being lost and uncertain, yet finds the courage to push through the challenges of high school, offering encouragement to herself in the process.
In addition to delving deeper into internal struggles, Inside Out 2 presents a fresh aspect of Riley’s mind called her “Identity Core,” consisting of significant memories and feelings that shape her fundamental convictions. Initially, she believes herself to be a good person at heart. However, when Anxiety enters the scene, she discards this Identity Core, intending to assist Riley during turbulent times by molding her to fit in with the Firehawks. However, basing one’s beliefs solely on preventing the worst outcomes results in an unstable Identity Core filled with self-doubt.
This sabotages Riley during her tryout match, and she gets put in the penalty box, leading her to have a panic attack and realize that the false image she’s put up to please the Firehawks has come crashing down. Not even restoring her original Sense of Self can calm her down, and she only finds inner peace when Joy and Anxiety let go and allow a brand-new Sense of Self, built out of all her conflicting emotions, to take control. It’s an incredibly touching scene that beautifully illustrates the film’s conceit that growing up means embracing all of your contradictions, and that’s the only true way to reconcile your outer and inner selves.
Both Films Understand Fundamental Truths About Growing Up
One notable aspect of “Inside Out 2” is its exceptional grasp of growing up, a topic often overlooked in many coming-of-age films, particularly those intended for children. Similarly, the critically acclaimed film “Eighth Grade” showcases this same insight – adolescence is a complex and tumultuous phase marked by change and anxiety about fitting in. Both productions delve deeper, revealing that navigating these challenges is an ongoing process, one that involves finding harmony within ourselves. If we remain true to our inner selves, they suggest, the rewards will be reaped in the long run. “Inside Out 2” is now available for streaming on Disney+.
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2024-10-08 00:31