Have you ever wondered what happens inside your head when you watch a movie trailer? Where do your reactions come from? Why are you suddenly sobbing when you see Han and Chewie again? Why so many emotions? A new bit of beautiful Disney synergy shows us what might be going on courtesy of the emotions of Pixar’s Inside Out. Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) watch the trailer for Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron and shape how 11-year-old Riley reacts to the footage. It’s meta in the best kind of way.
Each emotion replies to each scene like you would imagine. Fear is tentative and jumpy. Anger supports Ultron’s notions of bringing about extinction. Sadness is worried about the Avengers failing. Joy finds happiness in every single scene and gives the cutest “Atta girl!” to Black Widow. Disgust applauds Nick Fury’s pep talk. Given the large amount of running commentary rattling around up there, it’s no wonder I have to watch trailers a few times in order to catch all the details.
The video is more than merely cute. It’s a clever promotional tool that serves both Age of Ultron and Inside Out. While part of me wants Disney to run with this angle and show the Inside Out characters reacting to all the trailers, especially the one for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I hope they resist temptation and don’t overdo it.
Age of Ultron is in theaters on May 1, and Inside Out is scheduled for June 19.
