What movie was I lava before?

Remember “Lava” Before “Inside Out”? Let’s Talk About It

Before we dove headfirst into the emotional rollercoaster that was “Inside Out,” Pixar warmed our hearts with a sweet little story about two volcanoes falling in love. That’s right, I’m talking about “Lava,” the seven-minute short that played before “Inside Out” and told a musical tale of love and longing, all set in the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

“Lava” actually made its debut a little earlier, at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in June 2014. But for most of us, we first saw it when it hit theaters on June 19, 2015, right before “Inside Out” . James Ford Murphy directed and wrote it, with Andrea Warren producing. “Lava” isn’t just any short; it’s a musical love story that simmers and erupts over millions of years. The whole idea was sparked by the “isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes” . Seriously, who wouldn’t be inspired by that?

The short film revolves around Uku, a lonely volcano voiced by Kuana Torres Kahele. He’s got this amazing voice, and he sings his heart out, hoping to find someone special out there in the big blue ocean. And guess what? Lele, a lovely underwater volcano voiced by Nāpua Greig, hears his song and totally falls for him . It’s like a volcanic version of love at first sight! The short film then follows their journey to connect with each other .

So, where did James Ford Murphy get this idea from? Well, he’d been fascinated with Hawaii for ages, ever since his honeymoon there like, 25 years before making the film . But here’s a fun fact: he also credits Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” as a major inspiration . That song is just magical, right? It all came together to create “Lava,” a blend of Hawaiian beauty and a seriously heartfelt love story .

And let’s not forget the song “Lava,” written by Murphy himself! It’s so catchy and really brings the whole short film together . You can even find it as a digital single released on June 16, 2015, and as a bonus track on the “Inside Out” soundtrack CD .

Now, not everyone was head-over-heels for “Lava.” Some thought it was a little awkward or that the song wasn’t all that memorable . But honestly, most people thought it was super cute, loved the animation, and were really touched by the story . I personally thought it was adorable!

“Lava” is just another example of Pixar’s knack for pairing their movies with these really creative and innovative short films . They’re not just cute little add-ons, though. These shorts are often a way for Pixar to test out new technologies and push the boundaries of storytelling . And who knows, maybe “Lava” sparked some inspiration for “Moana” a few years later? Just a thought!