It's been 13 years since the world has come to know every single clownfish on the planet as Nemo. And now our favourite fish are back in this sidekick-getting-its-own-story sequel in Finding Dory.
The spotlight now falls on Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), the blue tang fish who suffers from chronic short-term memory loss. She often repeats conversations she's had just moments ago with other fish, and that sometimes annoys those that surround her.
Six months after the events of Finding Nemo, Dory -- now travelling with the father and son Marlin and Nemo fishes suddenly remembers something: her parents. The new-found recollection sends the trio following clues from Dory's surfacing flashbacks on a journey across the ocean. This time, instead of Sydney Harbour, they end up at the Marine Life Institute in California. And with Sigourney Weaver's disembodied voice over the PA system guiding them, they began to seek out Dory's parents Jenny and Charlie.
Stealing the show is Hank (Ed O'Neill) -- the grumpy octopus who can camouflage like a chameleon and jump around like an acrobatic ninja -- who aids Dory's forgetful odyssey in the marine institute. Who knows? We could be seeing Hank in a future sequel, if there is one.
Following the tentacled help are other newly introduced characters -- from whales, sea lions, otters and loon -- that are sure to be great additions to Pixar's line of merchandise. Aside from packed toy stores, aquariums around the world will probably see a rising number of visitors as well. A win-win for everyone.
While the lush animation may try to fool viewers it's just another sugar-coated tale for children, we've come to familiarise ourselves with Pixar's trend of intelligent and sentimental storylines over the years. In all its charm and laughter, Finding Dory is largely a film about living with and overcoming one's disabilities. And within the fishery rehabilitation centre, we see many creatures suffering from their respective impairment. That is until we learn of the greatest disability of all: not believing in yourself.
There is always a power in everyone, even in the people you least expect it from. Sometimes, what we need to unlock such power is a belief that says, "Yes, I can", or even encouragement from others that are willing to lend their trust for the person. The film sends a positive message to and empowers those with special abilities. And this also goes to their supportive friends and family members.
The messages director Andrew Stanton (who also directed Finding Nemo and WALL-E) want to convey are all too clear, both subtle and out-loud encouragement. Believe in yourself. Overcome your fear. This same theme also finds an echo in Piper, Pixar's short overture that precedes the feature, which tells a story of a cute, fluffy sandpiper learning to wade through hydrophobia.
In its 103-minute run, Finding Dory is warm and humorous. The jokes were genuinely fun, both visual and in dialogue, and music that comes on at the best time, without feeling forced. At certain points, however, things seem a little too silly in its comedic attempts -- which feature many laugh-out-loud slapstick moments -- even by the standards of a movie with talking fish. Overall, it has definitely packed in more fun than Finding Nemo, and the film was definitely enjoyable to watch.
While this sequel may surpass the original at bringing laughter, its emotional drama, however, doesn't quite dig as deep. Of course, it has its own sappy moments. Sentimentality came rushing in like tidal waves, trying to earn teary eyes from viewers in certain scenes. But as the characters kept on being lost and found, getting separated and reunited, the story can get a little repetitive after awhile.
Despite its minor flaws, Finding Dory is still successful at serving a good platter of both humour and nostalgia. It's a lush experience that anyone -- children or adults, old fans or new -- can thoroughly have fun with.
Finding Dory
Voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Ed O'Neill.
Directed by Andrew Stanton.
