Pixar does it again.
is a fun, heartfelt sequel. The animation is vibrant and colorful; the film is action-packed; and the jokes and quips are fast-paced. The voice actors also deliver great performances. Ellen DeGeneres is the focus of the film, so Albert Brooks and Hayden Rolence are less prominent. However, Ed O’Neill’s grumpy septopus is a wonderful addition to the cast and his character is a definite scene stealer.
Finding Dory strikes a different chord than the first film. Dory’s short-term memory loss was a running joke in
Finding Nemo. However, in
Finding Dory, the writers focus on the practical and sad impact of Dory’s mental disability. Not only does her memory loss make it difficult for Dory to interact with others, but she forgets where she is going, what she is talking about, and ultimately, she forgot her parents and her home. Dory is akin to Drew Barrymore’s character in the bittersweet film
50 First Dates. Dory is special. The message of the film is that Dory’s disability ultimately does not limit her but allows her to view the world in a different way, experience life to the fullest, and touch the hearts of all of those around her.
Finding Dory is not without its flaws however. In
Finding Nemo, Pixar introduced audiences to aquatic life in a completely novel fashion. The brilliant animation gave us a tiny glimpse at the beauty of ocean life. It would not be hyperbole to state that
Finding Nemo impacted animation in the way that
Avatar impacted 3D.
Finding Dory, on the other hand, spends little time at sea and takes the story to land and man-made aquariums and sanctuaries. I love Sigourney Weaver as much as the next child of the ‘80s. However, Weaver’s aquarium simply cannot match the majesty of the sea. As a result,
Finding Dory is not as visually remarkable as
Finding Nemo. While I appreciate the narrative that takes Dory’s tale to land, the choice does not bring anything new to audiences.
Finding Dory earns a 0.03% rating. Enjoy a tropical wine cooler with this one.