Summary:
- Inside Out 2 introduces new characters like Anxiety and diverse animation styles, pushing Pixar’s boundaries.
- The blend of traditional and contrasting animation challenges the studio’s iconic look.
- Building on the original’s inventive scene, Inside Out 2 seamlessly integrates 2D animation, promising an exciting experience.
Inside Out 2’s new characters offer a glimpse into the sequel’s storyline and how Pixar is pushing boundaries.
Set nine years after the original, the sequel explores Riley’s journey through puberty, introducing new emotions. While each character brings something fresh, some will stand out more than others.
Recent footage from CinemaCon reveals changes to Riley’s personality islands and introduces Anxiety as a major presence. However, it’s uncertain if Anxiety will be the most significant addition.
Inside Out 2 will feature characters in various animation styles.
The latest revelation from the footage indicates that Inside Out 2 will bring us a blend of Pixar‘s traditional digital animation alongside contrasting styles.
Descriptions of the footage reveal new characters like “Lance,” a video game character from Riley’s past crush, and a mysterious “deep, dark secret.”
Additionally, THR reports that a “preschool show” dog, inspired by Blue’s Clues, will also make an appearance.
What sets these additions apart is the use of different animation styles, a departure from Pixar’s usual approach.
#InsideOut2 features a scene with Riley’s forgotten memories as characters that include a 2D animated dog from a preschool show, spoofing Blue’s Clues, a Final Fantasy-esque video game character animated in the style of PS2, and Dark Secret, a mysterious cloaked being pic.twitter.com/rHEFZv0GIM
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 11, 2024
According to THR, the cartoon dog will be presented in 2D animation, while the video game character will have a Final Fantasy-inspired, PS2-style animation.
This shift not only expands the narrative boundaries of Inside Out 2 but also challenges Pixar’s visual conventions.
Pixar’s Decision to Use Various Animation Styles in Inside Out 2 Marks a Major Change
While it’s not uncommon for animated movies to mix different animation styles, Pixar’s decision to do so is a significant departure for the renowned studio.
Pixar has always been known for its distinct animation style, which has set its films apart since the groundbreaking Toy Story in 1995. This move away from their signature style is a risk for Inside Out 2.
Of course, Pixar has experimented with combining animation styles before.
Wall-e introduced live-action elements through recorded messages, while Luca featured footage from a classic film and Turning Red incorporated anime influences.
However, Inside Out 2 takes this contrast to a new level, suggesting it will be a pivotal moment for the studio.
Inside Out 2 Expands on the Original’s Inventive Animation with New Styles
Despite being a bold move for Pixar, one particular scene from the original Inside Out sets the stage for the sequel to experiment with a blend of animation styles.
In this innovative sequence, Joy, Sadness, and Bing Bong attempt a shortcut to reach the Train of Thought but find themselves abstracting, regressing through various stages of animation.
Evolving from Cubist figures to two-dimensional sketches and finally to “non-figurative” forms as they rush to escape, the scene is both tense and highly entertaining.
This abstraction scene serves as a perfect example of how Inside Out 2 can seamlessly incorporate 2D animation and other styles into its narrative.
While the original scene switches all characters to different styles simultaneously rather than mixing animation techniques on screen, it paves the way for a natural progression in Inside Out 2.
As a result, the sequel promises excitement both in its storytelling and technical execution.
