Finally, we have reached the number one spot in our Best Movies of 2015 countdown and it is animation film Inside Out that holds the top spot this year... following in the footsteps of Only Lovers Left Alive, Rush, and Avengers Assemble.
Inside Out
No year is complete without the release of a Pixar film and we haven't seen one hit the big screen since Monsters University back in the summer of 2014. However, it was well worth the wait as Pixar has delivered another movie gem that is well and truly up there as one of their best so far.
Inside Out was an adventurous project for the studio as it followed Joy. Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust - the emotions living in the mind of an eleven-year-old girl.
The movie marked the return of Pete Docter to the director's chair, who has already brought us fantastic films such as Monsters, Inc. and the hugely emotional Up. Docter has delivered another movie that will make you smile and break your heart.
Inside Out is just everything that you want from an animation movie; the animation is beautiful and there are some great characters to entertain the kids. But this is not just a movie for kids as there is a powerful and emotional story that will really hook the adults and have them reaching for the tissues.
This is one of their most complex and most mature movies to date as it explores how emotions are constructed, and delves into memory and subconscious; there really is a very strong psychology element that I was not expecting at all. To be able to balance all of those elements with comedy, stunning animation and make it all flow and fit together, really is an enormous achievement.
For me, Inside Out is one of Pixar's greatest movies - if not their best - to date. Docter has not been afraid to take risks with a deep and complex story and it really had paid off. This is a movie that is as intelligent and thoughtful as it is powerful, emotional, and funny.
Inside Out may be a movie that is about emotions, but it is your emotions that will get a major workout as you watch this film. It is great to feel like you have gone on a real journey with these characters when the credits roll; those feelings will stay with you long after you have walked away from this movie.
Pixar has assembled another wonderful voice cast, but it is Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith who really excel as they bring the characters of Joy and Sadness to life. These two actresses work wonderfully together and I love the banter between them; you would not know that Smith had not done any voice work for film before as she is just magnificent.
Inside Out was a critical smash and went on to be a massive box office hit, grossing $851 million at the global box office. It is currently the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year - it looks set to be overtaken by Star Wars: The Force Awakens - and is the second highest grossing animation film behind Minions.
The movie is the super-hot favourite to scoop the Best Animated Feature Oscar and has already picked up nominations at the Golden Globe and Annie Awards. However, I think Inside Out should be in the mix for the Best Picture Oscar as it really is an outstanding piece of film.
Beauty and the Beast, Up and Toy Story 3 are the only animated films in history to be nominated for Best Picture and no animated film is yet to win this coveted prize. Could 2016 be the year?
Pixar is a true giant when it comes to animation movies and no other studio produces movies like they do. Inside Out is a triumph and stands head and shoulder above every other animation film that has hit the big screen this year. The animation is just spectacular and will take you on a great adventure while the humour and the heartache are also an emotional rollercoaster that you will get swept along on.
Inside Out is an even better movie than I was expecting it to be and is - without a doubt - the best film of the year. Roll on 2016!!!
Take a look at our Best Movies of 2015 countdown so far:
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