Short-Term Remembery Loss (Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory, 2016)

In this sequel to Pixar's 2003 smash hit Finding Nemo, lovable, amnesiac blue tang Dory decides to go off in search of her long-lost parents. With the help of young clownfish Nemo and his dad Marlin, Dory heads for California and the Monterey Marine Life Institute, evading predators along the way as she hopes to find a place she can call home. - Fandango

Story

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This movie is an interesting contrast to the last one. In Finding Nemo, Marlin tells Nemo that he can't do some things because of his disability (his "lucky fin"). In Finding Dory, Dory's parents teach Dory how to live with her disability (short term memory loss). I thought it was interesting that the two films highlighted two different ways to raise children with disabilities. The story was creative, and while at the beginning I thought it was going to be a repeat of the first film, it turned into something beautiful and original.

Visuals

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I looooooovvvveeedd the animation! It was so pretty, and the water felt like real water. It was really, really well done, even better than Finding Nemo! It amazes me how Pixar improves their animation with every film.

Acting

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Returning from the last film are Ellen DeGeneres as Dory and Albert Brooks as Marlin. Nemo, who was played by Alexander Gould in the last film, was replaced by Hayden Rolence. (Don't worry, he sounds exactly the same as Gould and Gould still has a cameo in this film.) I really loved the character of Hank, played by Ed O'Neill. He was lots of fun to listen to!

Final Rating

This movie has a similar feel to Toy Story 3. We revisited old characters and plot lines, while also introducing new, original characters that still feel just right for the movie. I loved this movie a lot, and I think you'll really enjoy it!

Bonus gif:

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Have you seen Finding Dory? Who is your favorite character?

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The Five W's of Disney Pixar's Finding Dory

WHAT is this film about?

     Disney/Pixar's Finding Dory welcomes back to the big screen everyone's favorite forgetful blue tang Dory, who’s living happily in the reef with Nemo and Marlin. When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, the trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California's prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium. In an effort to find her mom and dad, Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank, a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey, a beluga whale who is convinced his echolocation skills are on the fritz; and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark. Deftly navigating the complex inner workings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships, and family. - Pixar Wiki

WHO is cast in this film?

     Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks are returning as Dory and Marlin.   Alexander Gould, who played Nemo in the last film, has been replaced by Hayden Rolence.   Some new characters have entered the story!   Dory's mom and dad, Jenny and Charlie, are played by Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy.   Dory meets three new friends at the Marine Life Institute: Hank (voiced by Ed O'Neill), Bailey (voiced by Ty Burrell),and  Destiny (voiced by Kaitlin Olson).   O'Neill, Burrell, Olson, and DeGeneres are pictured above.

WHY should you see this film?

     If you watched Finding Nemo, you should watch this film.   Pixar fans (and Ellen) have been waiting 12 years for a sequel to Finding Nemo.   Ellen pushed for a sequel because she loves the character of Dory.   Since Ellen approves of what's been made, it's bound to be a marvelous film.

WHEN was it released?

One week ago on June 17, 2016.

WHERE is it playing?

A theater near you!

Have you seen Finding Dory?

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Just Keep Swimming (Disney's Finding Nemo, 2003)

A clown fish named Marlin [who] lives in the Great Barrier Reef loses his son, Nemo. After he ventures into the open sea, despite his father's constant warnings about many of the ocean's dangers. Nemo is abducted by a boat and netted up and sent to a dentist's office in Sydney. So, while Marlin ventures off to try to retrieve Nemo, Marlin meets a fish named Dory, a blue tang suffering from short-term memory loss. The companions travel a great distance, encountering various dangerous sea creatures such as sharks, angler fish and jellyfish, in order to rescue Nemo from the dentist's office, which is situated by Sydney Harbor. While the two are doing this, Nemo and the other sea animals in the dentist's fish tank plot a way to return to Sydney Harbor to live their lives free again. - IMDb

Story

The story begins with Marlin, a clown fish, struggling to parent his son. Because of the brutal murder of his wife and other eggs, he is hesitant to let his child go to school and be without him. Nemo is tired of his father's constant nagging and decides to accept a dare to touch "the butt," a fishing boat past the edge of the reef. Nemo is caught by fisherman and taken to a fish tank. Marlin chases after the boat but isn't fast enough to get there. On the way, he runs into a forgetful fish named Dory who offers to help him find his son. This story is very interesting and entertaining. The struggles of the characters feel real to the viewer. Plus, plenty of humor keeps the movie funny and lighthearted.

Visuals

This movie has some of the best animation out of all the Pixar movies ever made. It was so stellar that even Pixar movies released later paled in comparison. It felt like I was really underwater. Lovely colors, lighting, and shading made this movie so great. (It also won an Oscar, so that should tell you something.)

Acting

 The acting in this film was spot on. Albert Brooks (Marlin) really made the viewers connect to his character. I feel like a lot of parents were able to empathize with him, which is key for a good movie. I bet no parent went into the theaters expecting to empathize with a fish. Ellen DeGeneres was born to play Dory. No one could have played her better. Her performance was funny, original, and realistic. I loved it. I was really pleased with Alexander Gould's performance as Nemo. I find that often child actors aren't actually very good at acting. You can't expect them to be at their age with no training, but it would still be nice to have good actors. This movie did not leave me with such a feeling. Pixar is always really good at instructing young actors.

Final Rating

     Finding Nemo is an instant classic. Everyone can watch it and find something they like about it.   Every time you watch, you'll find something different you hadn't noticed before. That is the mark of a true classic.

Bonus gif:

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