Still Trying To Market Inside Out, Hallmark Finds A Way!

The Good: Awesome sculpted details, Accurate coloring
The Bad: Expensive, Balance issue
The Basics: The 2016 "Inside Out" ornament from the Pixar Legends Hallmark ornament line is a fair, but not exceptional, ornament.


As 2016 moves to eclipse 2015 for sheer volume of Hallmark Keepsake ornaments I've reviewed, I realized I have been neglecting the many, many Disney ornaments I have to review. Today, I am righting that by checking out the 2016 Inside Out ornament. The Inside Out ornament is only the second ornament from Hallmark Keepsake to try to capitalize on the popularity of Inside Out and the ornament producer opted again for the safety of Joy for the subject of the ornament (much like they produce Olaf ornaments from Frozen fairly frequently).

For those unfamiliar with Inside Out (reviewed here!), Joy and Sadness are two of the four personality aspects within residing in Riley's head, directing the emotions she feels. Through their adventure in Riley's conflicted emotions in the film, Joy and Sadness have to work together. It is Joy and Sadness sitting back to back in a non-film inspired concept shot that is the subject of the 2016 Inside Out ornament.

Basics

The "Inside Out" ornament recreates Joy and Sadness as they appeared in Inside Out, though not from a distinct moment. The ornament, released in 2016, is an incredibly accurate sculpt of Joy and Sorrow with an incredible amount of sculpted and surface coloring detail, entirely accurate to the computer animated subjects of Inside Out.

Measuring two and three-quarter inches tall and wide by one and a half inches deep, the "Inside Out" ornament is a larger than normal-sized Disney character ornament, but about on scale with the other Pixar Legends ornament. Inside Out is the sixth ornament in the Pixar Legends ornament line. Unfortunately, Inside Out is one of the more expensive ornaments with an original issue price of $17.95 (which is pretty hefty for an ornament that does not have a sound chip).

The Hallmark "Inside Out" ornament is made of a durable plastic and has Joy and Sorrow sitting back to back. Joy is, predictably, smiling, while Sorrow frowns deeply. Sorrow's hair is beautifully sculpted with fairly incredible detailing, as are her glasses. On Joy, Hallmark got the physics of her dress absolutely perfect with the slope of the fabric looking amazingly realistic.

The coloring on the Inside Out ornanent is accurate, which is predictably simple and monotonal for the skin of both characters and the dress Joy wears. Sorrow's sweater looks decently colored with layers of coloring to it that enhance its textured appearance and both characters have good hair coloring to them.

Features

As a Hallmark Keepsake ornament, "Inside Out" could have a sound or light function, but this ornament has neither. Given that it is the same price as some of the Disney/Pixar ornaments that do have a sound clip, this seems comparatively expensive and less ambitious than Hallmark could have done.

Balance

As with all ornaments, the intent of the Hallmark Keepsake "Inside Out" ornament is to be hung on a Christmas Tree. And for those creating the ultimate Disney movie Christmas Tree, the "Inside Out" ornament is all right, but hardly essential (the film is not exactly considered a timeless masterpiece yet, even if it has been merchandised like one!). The ornament has the standard brass hook loop embedded into the top, back, of Joy's head. From there, the ornament hangs with a right bias; clearly Sadness was a bit heavier than Joy!

Collectibility

Hallmark Keepsake began delving into the collectibles market in 1991 with Star Trek when it introduced the exceptionally limited edition original U.S.S. Enterprise ornament (reviewed here!). Within a few years, every major franchise from Star Wars to A Nightmare Before Christmas to Indiana Jones started making Hallmark ornaments. "Inside Out" is one of several Disney ornaments on the market for 2016. This ornament actually seemed to sell out during its primary release, though it has not appreciated noticeably on the secondary market. This might have been a Hallmark ornament with ideal production numbers as I could not find any at my local Hallmark stores after the holidays, but the demand for it has not driven the price of it up. As a result, it might only be a worthwhile investment piece for those who are able to find it still at their Hallmarks at discount prices.

Overview

Fans of Inside Out, Disney, and Hallmark ornaments are likely to have mixed feeling about the 2016 Inside Out ornament. It is generally well-sculpted and colored, but it is balanced awkwardly and is expensive. That makes for a pretty average ornament in my book!

For other Pixar-themed Hallmark ornaments, please check out my reviews of:
2015 WALL-E
2014 Bank On Hamm Toy Story ornament
2012 Monsters, Inc. ornament
2011 Up ornament

5.5/10

For other ornament reviews, please visit my Ornament Review Index Page for an organized listing!

© 2017 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
| | |