Hammerle on… “Inside Out 2,” “Hit Man”

“Inside Out 2”

I should just begin and end with the observation that this is a sensational animated film. Let me just say that I had tears in both eyes as it ended.

Disney and Pixar restore movie magic to the big screen. You watch Riley (Kensington Tallman) as she turns 13. Starting puberty, she is forced to confront a life filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions.

While Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Tony Hale), Disgust (Liza Lapira) and Anger (Lewis Black) are emotions that she has interrelated with before hitting her teenage years, new emotions confront her. The most controlling is Anxiety (Maya Hawke).

Riley is forced to address the heightened Anxiety that confronts her as she begins life at a new school. Desperate to fit in with a new crowd as she spends several days playing ice hockey, her old emotions in her mental headquarters struggle to relate to the power of Anxiety.

Several years ago, the first “Inside Out” won an Oscar. I strongly suspect this film will do the same thing. Young girls battle a lot of emotions, just as young boys do.

It caused me to remember attending Catholic grade school where we learned to experience confessing our sins to a priest to earn the ability to receive communion. We learned that unbaptized kids who died spent eternity in limbo.

It was our own version of “Inside Out.” Like Riley, we embraced joy and anger while rejecting the anxiety of an eternity in hell for committing an unconfessed mortal sin.

This is a film that you will regret missing. Find a way to take a young teenager and bring a little joy into the world.

“Hit Man”

Though I wished that Director Richard Linklater had found a way to release this wonderful film to movie theatres, see it at home and enjoy the ride. It is a throwback to the great days of Hollywood in the 1930s-40s.

Glen Powell, who co-wrote the script, plays Gary Johnson, a college professor assisting the New Orleans Police Department with small tasks. When another officer is disciplined, he is brought in to pose as a hitman to arrest those seeking help to kill another, usually a family member.

Mr. Powell is sensational at every turn. His constant change in appearance and identity reflects his encouragement of his students to understand the significance of embracing change in their lives. On top of that, he is a likeable bird watcher and cat lover.

Without giving anything away, Gary’s life changes when he meets the beautiful Madison (Aria Arjona). She seeks someone to kill her abusive husband, and Gary is determined to save her from herself.

The film is helped with some great characters. You will have fun watching Austin Amelio play the slimy Jasper, an undercover agent who wants to get even with Gary for taking his job. In addition, Retta and Sanjay Rao have a splendid time playing Gary’s colleagues.

Do yourself a favor and see this movie. Falling in love with Madison, Gary has to decide if she is a victim or a murderer. Their journey makes this a special film to watch.•

__________

Robert Hammerle specializes in criminal law as of counsel with Hackman Hulett LLP. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.