Review by John Delia
Following in the footsteps of an academy award winning animated film is a tough proposition, but Finding Dory shows it’s up to snuff. This spin-off of Finding Nemo takes families on another journey with this time looking for Dory’s parents. Although it can be considered a stand-alone film, the trip has many similarities to Nemo’s big adventure. While this shouldn’t be a problem for even the littlest tyke, parents may yawn a bit, get antsy, and even look at their glow in the dark watch once or twice or maybe even three times. Hopefully the new characters will keep the older folks amused, especially my favorite Hank the octopus.
The film opens with Dory (Sloane Murray) a young fish being tended by her mother Jenny (Diane Keaton) and father Charlie (Eugene Levy). She’s given strict instructions not to get too close to the fast moving current that’s just outside the boundaries of their living area. But, Dory has a problem called short term memory loss, or she forgets most everything moments after being told something. Not minding where she is going one day she gets dragged into the strong undertow and gets separated from her parents.
Flash forward a couple of years and we find Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) all grown up and living with Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) following their adventure to find Nemo. Longing to find her parents, a new adventure begins as Marlin and Nemo set out with Dory on a trip thousands of miles away to California.
Directors Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) and Angus MacLane (Toy Story of Terror) take audiences into a very realistic ocean that’s filled with sea life and an abundance of underwater landscape. They make their film very adventurous adding fun things during every scene. Returning characters sea turtles Crush (Andrew Stanton) and Squirt (Bennett Dammann) help the travelers get to California. New additions add to the fun including an octopus who can blend into almost any background called Hank (Ed O’Neill), Bailey (Ty Burrell) a beluga whale who’s sonar’s on the fritz, his whale shark friend Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) that’s near sighted, and two funny seals Fluke (Idris Elba) and Rudder Sea (Dominic West) are among many more.
The movie has a lot of family values, but the most prevalent that sends a very good message surrounds connecting with parents and family. The film also shows friendship, love, protecting young ones, respect for others and working together to make a better world, both under the sea and on land.
The story does get a bit drawn out and can give moms and dads a feeling of Déjà vu if they saw Finding Nemo, but the wild and wacky ending should pep them up. For the youngest children parents may want to sit close as there are a few scenes that can upset or scare, especially when they are first introduced to certain characters. But, for the most part the movie is family friendly and fun to watch.
Prior to the main feature there’s a shot cartoon called Piper. The very charming little film shows the coming of age of a baby sandpiper living in its home on the edge of the sea. It’s a sweet and charming look at growing up and surviving in your surroundings.
Finding Dory has been rated PG by the MPAA for mild thematic elements. Most of the adult jokes should go over the heads of the little ones and tense situations are all resolved.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Disney/Pixar pull off another instant classic for their vault. (A-)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Hayden Rolence, Ty Burrell, Idris Elba, Dominic West, Sigourney Weaver.
Directed By: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane (co-director)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Animated, Family
MPAA Rating: PG for mild thematic elements
Running Time: 1hr. 37 min.
Release Date: June 17, 2016
Distributed by: Disney/Pixar films
Released in: 2D, 3D