‘Dream Productions’ Review: Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ Series Is a Sweet Return to Riley’s Mind

Dream Productions, the spin-off miniseries based on the smash-hit Pixar franchise Inside Out, could have easily been a serviceable addition to Disney+’s original content lineup. Taking place in between Inside Out and Inside Out 2, the series follows director Paula Persimmon (Paula Pell) as she navigates the evolving studio landscape in the wake of Riley growing up. While Paula’s arc may be too familiar, Dream Productions offers enough creativity and heart to make it a worthy entry into the expanding Inside Out universe.

Paula Persimmon Has An Eerily Familiar Character Journey

Paula Persimmon, the protagonist of Dream Productions, was once the studio’s most acclaimed dream director, responsible for hits such as Bye-Bye Passie (which led Riley to give up her pacifier). However, this was a hit created when Riley was 2. Now that Riley is growing up, her interests are changing, which means the dreams that once made her happy are not the ones that Paula is used to making.

Paula is convinced that she knows what makes Riley happy, so she sabotages her fellow directors, especially film bro and assistant director Xeni (Richard Ayoade). While this journey is engaging, it’s almost too similar to Joy’s (Amy Poehler) arc from Inside Out to be anything super innovative. In Inside Out, Joy discovers that every emotion, even Sadness (Phyllis Smith), is necessary for Riley to be the best she can be.

In Dream Productions, Paula discovers that dreams aren’t always going to be about rainbows, unicorns, or Rainbow Unicorn. What makes Riley happy is changing, so Paula must undergo that same realization. Yet, the repetition is glaringly obvious, which holds the project back from reaching its true potential.

‘Inside Out’ Continues To Be an Innovative Force for Pixar

Despite the lack of innovation in the protagonist department, Pixar finds many other ways to expand the well-developed Inside Out universe. Dream Productions itself is a great avenue to explain the role dreams play in our minds. This is what makes Dream Productions truly worth the watch. For example, Paula is rarely ever seen without her dog, Mel (or Melatonin), by her side. Whenever anyone pets Mel, they immediately fall asleep. It’s small touches like this that make this watch so exciting.

Additionally, Xeni, the aforementioned film bro, is a clear standout. He starts as an artsy daydream director who isn’t taken seriously due to his campy and outlandish view of dream-making. Xeni steals every scene he’s in and makes an incredible foil for Paula throughout the series. The director and the ideas he brings to Dream Productions serve as such a fun avenue for Pixar to show off their creative prowess.

‘Dream Productions’ Doesn’t Reinvent the Wheel, but It’s a Fun Time

Dream Productions is a wonderful addition to the popular Pixar franchise, despite its main character feeling a little uninspired. After Inside Out 2 made a historic run at the box office this summer, this is a great watch for those who fell in love with the colorful world of Inside Out all over again earlier this year.

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