RILEY'S FIRST DATE?

RILEY'S FIRST DATE? is a 2015 animated short film from Pixar Animation Studios directed by Josh Cooley. An American comedy animation short, the film stars Pete Docter as the voice of Dad, Ben Cox as Jordan (the boy Riley is supposedly going on a date with), Kyle MacLachlan as the voice of Riley's Dad's Fear, and Diane Lane as the voice of Riley's Mom.

The film is a spin-off from the critically acclaimed 2015 Pixar feature film, "Inside Out". It takes a delightful, humorous and poignant look at the trials and tribulations of parenting and growing up, offering a perspective on how adults and children navigate the world of emotions.

In RILEY'S FIRST DATE?, we see that all is not tranquil within 12-year-old Riley's mind. Set in San Francisco, it picks up where "Inside Out" left off. As Riley's parents start adjusting to their new life after moving from Minnesota, a new challenge suddenly appears on their horizon - the ambiguous question that looms when a boy arrives at their door to take Riley out: Is this Riley's first date?

The story highlights a theme that many a parent has grappled with - the dawning realization that your child is growing up and entering the world of adolescence, a world often filled with angst, awkwardness, and hormonal turmoil. It is an adorable take on understanding and dealing with a child's burgeoning life and experiences, and, in this case, her first possible date.

One distinguishing feature of the "Inside Out" universe is its representation of the human mind as an intricate command center overseen by personifications of basic human emotions - Joy, Fear, Disgust, Sadness and Anger. These emotions chime in with their perspective and influence Riley's actions, just like in the original film.

RILEY'S FIRST DATE? sees the personified emotions of Riley's parents in overdrive as they try to decode the situation with the 'boy at the door'. Each emotion provides its point-of-view in comedic fashion, eliciting laughter and nodding recognition from viewers who understand the relatable premise.

Mom and Dad have their unique command centers and emotional operators within their heads. There's a heartwarming counterpoint between the two as each attempts to understand and handle the situation in their own way. Dad’s emotions, led by Anger, misinterpret every situation, while Mom's emotions are a blend of confusion, nostalgia, and Fear.

Mom's cheerful attempt to get information using awkward teen slang, coupled with Dad's misunderstanding of what's going on, add to the hilarity of the situation. Throughout the episode, these emotions wreak light-hearted havoc as they scramble to control their hosts in response to every twist and turn of the situation.

At the same time, there is the character of Jordan, Riley’s potential first date. An awkward adolescent himself, Jordan is as frightened and befuddled as Riley’s parents by the possibility of a date.

Aside from the humor, RILEY'S FIRST DATE? addresses the emotional roller coaster that both parents and the child go through during these growing-up milestones. It balances humor with tender moments and gently highlights the importance of communication and understanding between parents and their children. This short film is a perfect blend of entertainment, humor, and emotional depth, making it a much-loved companion piece to "Inside Out".

With RILEY'S FIRST DATE?, Pixar has again proven its knack for imparting valuable life lessons under the guise of animated characters. It crafts a story that brings laughter while reminiscing about the shared human experience of adolescence, parental fear, and the struggle to understand the dynamic world of emotions.

RILEY'S FIRST DATE? is a delightful, hilarious, and touching seven-minute animated story that will resonate with both younger viewers and adults. Whether you're reminiscing about your own "first date?" or preparing yourself for when your child might have their "first date?", this film will surely evoke laughter, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the universal experience that is growing up.