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Initial Thought: I've always loved Pixar. Even their less cared about films I still enjoyed quite a bit. When I heard of this I was really excited about the concept. The trailer was incredible and showed that we were really in for an experience. I have heard nothing but good things about this. I really don't know why I didn't check this out any sooner given the anticipation I've had for it. Anyways the delay is over.
Characters/Acting: There is a great mixture of dramatic and comedic actors here. You have many of the usual suspects within the additional voices as well. I like the way emotions are represented which is one of the major reasons for my interest here. I loved seeing different emotions personified. I really liked that we saw the different emotions of other characters as well. The representations were all quite humorous and intriguing. I wonder what would have happened had they actually gone with the 27 emotions. It is good that they choose to go the route they did with the characters. It definitely would have been chaotic and different. I think all the characters added something nice to the story.
Story: A film told from the perspective of the emotions inside the mind of a little girl. It sounds like such a simple plot. Yet when you think on it you realize how much more complex it is than that. I love how they introduce Riley's world and mind to us. It's done in such a way that is really sweet. I feel sometimes like Sadness is who is always working my controls. To see how memories work in this animated world was fascinating and unique. I always like these sort of stories. It kind of reminds me a little along the lines of Osmosis Jones or the episode of Spongebob where they show the inside of his mind (albeit the way this is done is a bit more complex). I like the embodiment of how everything works with memories and reactions. I really liked that this dealt with a serious subject and yet still made it enjoyable for all ages. There were a few heavy tearjerking scenes. The ending was absolutely wonderful. It was interesting to see the other stuff during the credits as well.
Directing/Writing: Pete Docter is an excellent writer/director. As a director the only other feature length films I've seen of his were Monsters Inc. and Up. The latter proving to be a rather emotional rollercoaster. So with that in mind I suppose it should be expected that this would be on a similar rollercoaster. As a writer he also brought us Wall-E and the first two Toy Story films. He is a great filmmaker to watch and has proven himself time and again. Ronaldo Del Carmen is a first timer at least to feature films. He picked a good team to start with. I wonder if he could be as successful without such an incredible team to be backed with. Meg LeFauve only has two other films and they are coming in the future. I'm hoping they showcase her skills well. Josh Cooley is known mostly for making fairly enjoyable shorts of existing stories. So seeing him work on a feature length story should be interesting. Michael Arndt who wrote the fantastic Toy Story 3 and Brave lends some additional story material here. It probably helped this to be even more improved given his writing talents. Simon Rich whom is known for SNL also lends his additional story material. I don't think I have seen the stuff he has written there. It is interesting though since he is mostly known for TV. Additional dialogue is also written in by Bob Peterson (one of the writers/directors of Up) and stars Bill Hader and Amy Poehler. Both of the later have never written anything for a feature film, but they are great with improv and projecting humor. With all this talent it's no wonder this was so positively viewed.
Final Thoughts: Man no wonder this has such rave reviews. This was absolutely fantastic. It really played with my emotions heh! I really wish this had been longer or that it will at least get a sequel. This is definitely one of the best Pixar films. If you are like me and waited so long to see it you should jump on the bandwagon. You won't regret it unless you are just a sourpuss.
