FINDING DORY Swims Away From The Sequel Curse and Into Something Magical

Can you believe it’s been 13 years since Finding Nemo hit theaters? I was barely a teenager when the movie came out and it’s been an absolute favorite of mine well into my adult years. When they announced the sequel, it felt like forever until the release date. But I patiently waited and finally sat down for an advanced screening last night. Not since Finding Nemo have I been so overjoyed by a film.

At the start of the film we are introduced to baby Dory and her parents. It seems her short-term “rememory” loss has troubled her since birth. It then cuts to Dory getting lost as a child and shows bits of her asking for help until we end up at the time she meets Marlin. Then “one year later” Dory, Marlin and Nemo are happily living side by side on the ocean floor when something jogs Dory’s memory about her parents. She must find them, but she can’t remember enough to actually make that happen. She hopes, with the help of her friends, that she can follow what little memory she has about where she came from.

The film is a nonstop adventure as they travel through the ocean, get separated, and find themselves lost in a marine life sanctuary. There is no shortage of hilarious moments as we meet friends of Dory’s past, as well as some familiar faces. With such comedic and memorable characters in the first, it was quite a feat to do that once again.

There was hardly a moment in the film where the audience wasn’t laughing or chuckling at some of the wacky moments between the confined fish. Two of the favorites seemed to be Bailey, a bit of hypochondriac who struggles with his echolocation, and Destiny who can’t see much. Voiced by two veteran comedians, what else could you expect but laughter?

And then there is Becky. If only we could all have a Becky in our life. The wacky nonspeaking bird helps our fish friends out and brings the audience all sorts of stomach-aching laughter.

Even funnier, her sea lion friends voiced by Dominic West and Idris Elba. There’s really not enough I can say about how truly wonderful all these characters are. And there are plenty of jokes that kids and adults will love.

This film does such a great job of continuing the story of our underwater friends, but also giving it its own story aside. It’s enjoyable in its own right and perhaps one that is even funnier than the first. I’m also not ashamed to admit I shed a tear or two, but I was not alone.

Seriously go out and see this amazing movie. See it in 3D if you can. I’m not the biggest fan of 3D for every movie, but this one just added something special to it. Whether you have kids or not, this film is for you. Disney/Pixar did a great job of making a film so visually magnificent, as well as having a storyline that just kept you in a state of pure joy the whole time. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entirety of the film. This movie is perfect!

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Also, the short in front of the film titled “Piper” is seriously adorable. For a moment you couldn’t tell if it was animation or reality. Such an amazing job by the animators.