D23 Madness! Part 2: Inside Out

Concept art from Pixar's Inside Out

Known as the filmmaking mastermind behind beloved works like Monsters, Inc. and Up, Pete Docter is back in the director's chair in the highly-anticipated Inside Out, set to hit theaters June 19, 2015. Audiences will delve into the peculiar world inside the human mind, or more specifically, the mind of an 11-year-old girl named Riley. Her various emotions make up much of the film's array of characters. The voice cast is as follows:

• Amy Poehler voices the emotion of Joy
• Phyllis Smith voices Sadness
• Bill Hader (Whaddaya know!) voices Fear
• Mindy Kaling voices Disgust
• Lewis Black voices Anger

Again, another phenomenal bunch of voice talent. I've always admired Pixar for never selling out and hiring big, extremely well-known celebrities just for the sake of drawing more people to their film (*ahem* Epic, anyone?). I mean, sure, every now and then they do hire famous A-list actors and actresses (Tom Hanks, Ellen DeGeneres, etc) to voice characters in their films, but that's only when the filmmakers feel the actor actually suits the character. Also keep in mind, when they do hire famous celebrities, these celebrities are always actual actors. They would never go out and hire, I don't know, Pitbull perhaps? Nicki Minaj? Anyway...

Inside Out follows the aforementioned Riley as she moves to San Francisco and has to adjust to her new life while trying to make new friends. Meanwhile, we are taken inside her head and see how her different emotions react to her everyday experiences. Now here's where it really gets interesting. Riley's emotions apparently all work inside her mind in some sort of headquarters (Get it? Headquarters? Because it's all in her head?) and each character has a screen that allows him or her to see Riley's perspective. Here they perform various tasks, such as storing memories and adjusting her emotions. The mind has many different sections, such as Dream Production, Imaginationland (described as a Disneyland-esque amusement park), and Long-Term Memory. Everything is connected by the Train of Thought, which is, of course, portrayed by an actual train. The plot is set in motion when Joy and Sadness get the boot and are made to leave the headquarters, which means it's up to Fear, Anger and Disgust to operate Riley.

All I can say is...wow. This sounds absolutely flabbergasting just by reading about it! Anyone still convinced that the folks over in Emeryville have lost their "touch"? No? Good, that should mean everyone here is sane. Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves. Because in 2015 Pixar is treating us to what could very well be the most original film in years.