Finding Dory

The first time I saw Finding Nemo I was amazed. The beauty in every single tiny detail of the underwater sea life was absolutely stunning. From the largest fish to the tiniest krill just mesmerized me. When it was announced that the Pixar team was working on a sequel to the beloved tale, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see the story about Dory and her new adventure.

In this installment, it is Nemo and Marlin who help Dory locate her family. Though it has been thirteen years since the last film, we are transported right back to where the action left off. A year has gone by after Nemo (Hayden Rolence) and his father Marlin (Albert Brooks) were reunited with the help of a very loving yet very forgetful Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). She begins to dream of memories she once had with her parents. At first we get to see an extremely adorable tiny Dory. Her small voice but big loving and outgoing personality will make your heart melt. Dory’s parents helped guide her through life all while they also had to learn to cope with her impairment. When snippets of these memories begin rushing in, Dory sets out to try and reunite with her parents. With the help of some old friends, their path leads the trio to the Marine Life Institute of Morro Bay. This is where she and her parents once called her home. On the way the trio meet a bunch of new characters. My favorite of these newest members is Hank, a seven tentacled octopus who can camouflage and escape out of pretty much any situation, proving that he is probably the best sidekick for the task. The cutest new additions are a gang of cuddling otters that can stop traffic with their cuteness.

The film in a whole was brilliantly thought out and well conceived. Little did we know that the comedic situation of Dory’s impairment in the first film would become the core of her story in the second film. Though I’m not a fan of Cars and or The Incredibles, I am still a fan of Pixar and the ideas they create. Especially that of the short film prior to the showing of the main film entitled “Piper”. Pixar certainly has a way with bringing up issues of disabilities, weaknesses and problems within our world today. This makes it easy for film goers to relate to the stories that they tell and find deep meaning in the overall outcome of the story. Finding Dory is filled with all the emotions that make up a fantastic film. Perfect for every age and is best seen with the 3D option. I adored this film and I think I just might have to see it again in theaters when it comes out. Also be sure to stay after the credits!
5 out of 5 stars!
Second Review by Jennifer Fiduccia

Pixars newest release ‘Finding Dory’ is the long awaited sequel to the 90’s hit Finding Nemo. It’s cast includes a return of Ellen Degeneres as Dory, Albert Brooks as Marlin, Hayden Rolence as Nemo, and introduces Ed O’Neill as Hank, Ty Burrell as Bailey, Diane Keaton as Jenny, and Eugene Levy as Charlie.

The story follows Dory on her quest to find her parents that she lost many years ago.
Dory is still scatterbrained and we learn that she has always suffered from short term memory loss.
The movie flashes back between present time and memories that Dory has of her long – lost parents. We learn that her parents tried to help Dory overcome her memory problems by teaching her that ‘there’s always another way’, and to use her perceived disability to her advantage by thinking about, and approaching things, in a different way, a way that only Dory can!
There are definitely parts toward the end that are crazy and completely implausible, but, considering it’s already a movie about talking fish looking for their families …. It’s not ‘that’ bad.
Finding Dory will certainly make you laugh, and it did bring a tear to my eye here and there. The comedy of the octopus Hank is undeniable and he adds a great dimension to the film. The sea lions antics are hilarious, and the dialogue and relationship between Destiny and Baily the Beluga with broken sonar is great.
My 7 year old son said ‘It was a GREAT movie, I loved it, it was a little sad, but I really liked it. My favorite part was when she found her family! I want to see it again!’
We saw the film in 3D and would recommend seeing it that way.
We would give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars.