Why "Inside Out" is My Favorite Pixar Movie

Scene from Inside Out

It's that time of year again. It's when the internet gathers together to make the argument for which film exemplifies what makes Pixar brilliant. It's an exciting, thought-provoking period because, on the one hand, there is no right answer. Who's to say that WALL-E  is greater than Finding Nemo? The diversity of each film is astounding and explains why they're towering giants in the American animation market. However, this is my chance to make the argument not only for why I think that their 2015 film Inside Out is yet another masterpiece, but is a masterpiece that explains most succinctly why Pixar remains a vital company in the 21st century. It's got everything perfectly in place and does so with the familiar formula better than it's ever been.

Check This Out: "Inside Out" Cuts Out the Emotions for Interesting "Outside Edition"

Scene from Inside Out

There wasn't an animated film that was more acclaimed and beloved than Pixar's Inside Out. For many, it was seen as a return to form for the studio, producing their best work since 2010's Toy Story 3. While its Oscar chances are inevitable (and will be announced later this month), it's intriguing to look back at the film and its form. While the story helped to make an abstract concept about emotions somehow explainable, it's intriguing to wonder if the story that they're telling on the other side holds up. Well, thanks to Jordan Hanzon, it has been edited to exclusively focus on the outside journey. Thankfully, the story is just as impressive without the gimmick, and can be seen after the jump.

Review: "Inside Out" is Pixar's Great Meta Commentary on Why We Love Pixar

Among the many anniversaries coming in 2015 is Toy Story's 20th anniversary. While it may just seem like an honor bestowed upon a really good film, it is also an indicator for Pixar's growth and legacy. There was a time where that film could have been a fluke. Yet 14 movies later, they are still willing to charm us and reinvent the wheel, making us sympathize with new things whether anthropomorphic or abstract. This is why director Pete Docter's Inside Out feels not just like a film, but as its own meta retrospective on the first two decades of a studio that has a widely regarded almost perfect track record. Thankfully, it still is a really good example about why Pixar is leagues ahead of its competitors.