Two years on from Inside Out (2015), 13-year-old Riley is about to enter high school. Her emotions, Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust, have created Riley’s ‘Sense of Self’ which houses only good memories and feelings. On the evening before Riley and her best friends are to attend a hockey camp, a “Puberty Alarm” sounds off and four new emotions enter Riley’s mind: Envy, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Anxiety.

Pixar and Disney have anthropomorphised everything from animals to vehicles, whilst also sticking true to their ‘journey home’ template: a protagonist finds themselves displaced and must return home while meeting all sorts of characters along the way. Inside Out personified emotions who go on a journey to learn that all emotions are as legitimate and relevant as each other; even sadness. This entry, while treading the same plot progression, takes the story a step further, by exploring the complicated social world of an early teen.

On hearing that her best friends are soon to go to different high schools, Riley faces several decisions that may affect her future for the seemingly better, with her old friendships at stake. This focus on her future social standing allows Anxiety to soon overcome Riley’s mind to the exclusion of her preteen emotions who must journey once again to try and reestablish Riley’s positive sense of self.

Verdict: While seemingly similar to the previous entry, the film progresses Riley’s story in a measured fashion with an impeccable production. 4 stars.

Luke McWilliams, www.themovieclub.net. Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.