Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this more than once? Nah.
Score: 4.0/5
Secret ending? Yes!
Running time: 103 minutes (~1.75 hours)
“Finding Dory” is a 3D-animated comedy that’s the sequel to 2003’s “Finding Nemo.” It focuses on Dory’s search for her parents. It features the voice talents of Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Albert Brooks (Marlin), Hayden Rolence (Nemo), Ed O’Neill (Hank), Destiny (Kaitlin Olson), Ty Burrell (Bailey), Diane Keaton (Jenny), Eugene Levy (Charlie), Idris Elba (Fluke), Dominic West (Rudder), with amusing cameos by Sigourney Weaver.
“Finding Dory” may seem like it’s all just laughs and action, but don’t be fooled — there’ll be segments that make you cry (unless you’re a stone-hearted fiend like my viewing partner). It takes the brightest and most colourful aspects of “Finding Nemo” and strengthens the family element of the story, giving you a film that not only entertains, but reminds you about what’s important in life to fishes and humans alike.
Highlights
Fun new characters
Lots of interesting characters join the crew that will teach you more about marine life, like Hank (Ed O’Neill) the seven-armed octopus and Bailey (Ty Burrell) the beluga. They’re a colourful bunch who span the gamut in sizes and species, and their wildly varying personalities all help to aid (or hinder, at times) Dory’s quest. In fact, it’s amazing how there’s no one true antagonist in the film — every character is loveable, and every character is Dory’s friend.
Touching
In a way, this is the movie where Dory grows up and finally achieves what she’s been looking for. Whether she succeeds or not is another matter, but her enthusiasm and single-minded devotion to finding her parents is something that imperceptibly grows on you. And when you find out just how much finding her mother and father means to Dory, it’ll break your heart in ways you never thought possible.
Young Dory is cute
Adolescent Dory is so incredibly adorable! You meet her in her flashback scenes with her parents, and she’s even cuter than Nemo. She’s an innocent little girl Pacific regal blue tang who is very altruistic, and it’s amazing how much of that optimistic world view has continued on into her adult life. True to its name, “Finding Dory” has you finding the eponymous character in all sorts of unexpected ways.
Interesting setting
The bulk of the film takes place at a marine-themed amusement park, which includes many innovative set pieces for Marlin and Dory’s adventures. It’s also a logical and organic way to introduce so many different species of characters in the same area. But most importantly, it showcases the filmmakers’ creativity in having the story unfold over land and sea.
Letdowns
Contrived means of moving outside water
Unfortunately, with so much action happening above water, there needs to be ways for Dory, Marlin, and Nemo to get around. It’s fine at the beginning, but when you see them plop into yet another transparent container that enables them to get around and view their surroundings, you begin to wonder why they even need to be in the ocean anyway. It’s just too much of a coincidence that all these water-filled containers are lying around.
“Finding Dory” is an excellent sequel to “Finding Nemo,” and expands on the best parts from the original.
“Finding Dory” opens in cinemas 16 June, 2016 (Thursday).
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