Inside Out - I just wanted Riley to be happy...

Riley, a young girl, embarks on a new chapter in her life as her family relocates to San Francisco from Minnesota. Within her mind, optimistic Joy is on a mission to keep Riley happy with other emotions, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear. However, challenges arise on their first day in their new home. The house is less impressive than expected, and the moving truck is delayed, leaving them in an empty house. The only nearby pizza store offers a broccoli-topped pizza, which Riley detests. Despite these setbacks, Riley finds joy in playing hockey with her parents in their empty living room.

Riley's first day at school takes an unexpected turn when Sadness accidentally transforms a happy memory into a sad one, causing Riley to break down in tears during her self-introduction. Joy, eager to rectify the situation, attempts to revert the sad memory but becomes trapped in a tube with Sadness. As a result, Riley's personality islands begin to crumble.

Determined to return to headquarters, Joy and Sadness encounter Bing Bong, Riley's imaginary friend. Bing Bong suggests they take a shortcut to catch the train of thought. Without Joy's control over Riley's emotions, Riley experiences a surge of negative emotions. Homesickness and anger overwhelm her, culminating in a plan to run back to Minnesota. This decision causes more personality islands to fall, and the train of thought malfunctions due to a disrupted connection to headquarters. Faced with this setback, Joy abandons Sadness and attempts to return to headquarters alone, but the tube breaks, leaving her and Bing Bong in the Memory Dump. Bing Bong sacrifices himself so that Joy can fly back to the ground.

Reflecting on past experiences, Joy remembers a happy memory from an ice hockey competition, where her parents and teammates rallied around her after a loss. This realization prompts Joy to acknowledge the importance of embracing all emotions, not just happiness. She recognizes that Sadness plays a crucial role in turning things around and resolves to return to headquarters with Sadness by her side.

Upon their return, they find the console malfunctioning as Riley struggles to process her feelings. However, Sadness's presence triggers an emotional breakdown in Riley, causing her to abandon her plan to return to Minnesota. Reunited with her family, Riley receives comfort and support, leading to a deeper understanding of her emotions.

The film conveys the message that happiness, while desirable, cannot be the sole emotion we strive for. Life is full of ups and downs, and we have to acknowledge and express our full range of emotions. Suppressing our emotions for the sake of happiness is not recommended. True happiness can encompass a blend of emotions.