FINDING DORY REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Finding Dory is one of the many sequels we've had this year. However, unlike some of the sequels, this one proves to be as entertaining and heartwarming as its predecessor, Finding Nemo. 

When Finding Nemo was released, it proved to be popular amongst both young children and adults, it won an Oscar for 'Best Animated Motion Picture' and it made over $860M at the box office. Of course, that obviously meant for a sequel. However, Pixar took its time with this film and instead of rushing and making an less-than-average sequel (like most film companies tend to do), they focused on making other films instead. Now, after thirteen years, we get the sequel we've been waiting for.

In the first film, we are introduced to Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) who, after losing his son Nemo (Alexander Gould), goes on an adventure across the ocean along with his new found friend, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). Dory proved to be one of the most likable characters of the film due to being voiced by DeGeneres who is best known for being a comedian. She also suffered from short-term memory loss which made her sympathetic yet the scenes where she forgets something provided comic relief. It's understandable why the makers at Pixar decided to focus on Dory. This proved to be a wise choice as she remains one of the best characters. In this sequel, which is set a year after the events of Nemo, we learn more about Dory's background as she remembers her parents and we see in flashbacks her life as a young blue tang with her parents, Jenny (Diane Keaton) and Charlie (Eugene Levy). These flashbacks warm the heart especially because baby Dory is really cute. These were my favourite scenes to watch.

The majority of the film focuses on Dory's adventure as she finds her parents. Of course, she still suffers from memory loss so Marlin and Nemo (now voiced by Hayden Rolence) decide to accompany her. Unfortunately, Dory gets separated from Marlin and Nemo and ends up in a conservatory that houses different species, known as the Marine Life Institute. This is where she meets Hank (Ed O'Neill), a cranky East Pacific red octopus, who, in exchange for the tag on Dory's fin, promises to help her find her parents. Meanwhile, Marlin and Nemo are on their own adventure as they try to find Dory. 

I enjoyed the majority of the film but the film's main climax a bit silly (to me, it felt like something that could've featured in one of the Madagascar films and having Louis Armstrong's classic 'What A Wonderful World' playing over this scene didn't help rid that feeling as that featured in the first Madagascar film). However, this was only minor and the rest of the film proved to be exciting and entertaining.

I think that the animation has improved as there were a lot of scenes, especially the ones set under the sea, that looked stunning. Like I said in my Finding Nemo review, this may be the closet I'll ever get to seeing the deeps of the ocean but I'm okay with that.

Like with every animated motion picture they produce, Pixar have created a short which is shown before the film. This one is called Piper and is about a mother bird who tries to teach her little one how to find food by himself. In the process, he encounters a traumatic experience that he must overcome in order to survive. It's only six minutes long but it's a great watch. I'd definitely recommend getting to your local cinema early so you can watch this short.

Overall, Finding Dory is a great sequel and will entertain the whole family.

8/10