FINDING DORY Film Review: Pixar Searches for Success in an Ocean of New Technology

In 2003 FINDING NEMO won Pixar’s first Oscar for best animated feature. A lot has changed in the technology and landscape of the world of animation since then. Can this week’s highly anticipated release FINDING DORY capture the imaginations of fans old and new, and become its own box office sensation?

FINDING NEMO made a huge splash in 2003 and filmmakers, as most of the crew are back from the original, are hoping Finding Dory wins the hearts of not only those who love the first one, but also those who are new to the expression it made famous, “Just keep swimming”. Director Andrew Stanton says that a few years ago he was struck by the feeling that Dory’s story was unfinished. He noticed that for a fish that was so open hearted and nonjudgemental to others she apologized way too much for her own short term memory loss, and he says he heard the call to help her find self-acceptance. Helping her take that trip is the challenge he created for himself, and the cast and crew of FINDING DORY. I’m happy to say he does make worth taking the journey with them.

Certainly some of our favorites are back. In addition to Dory, Marlin and Nemo play a major role. When Dory remembers she has a family she misses, the three embark together on a trip across the ocean in search of her parents, based only on her feeling and useful fragments of memory that come back to her. We get to visit again with Crush, Squirt, and Mr. Ray. It’s the new characters, however, that allow FINDING DORY to stand on its own as a worthy entertainment that will stay with you. Most notable is Hank. Anyone aware of the elements that go into character animation will recognize the design challenges, but for the rest of you, suffice to say Hank took 2 years to come to life, instead of the usual 6 months. A cantankerous septipus (part of his personal history involves losing an arm in an undisclosed trauma, but it was also a character design solution that dovetailed perfectly with his persona) Hank just wants to be left alone. As voiced by Ed O’Neill, he is the standout newcomer that will connect with Pixar fans, especially as the foil for Dory’s eternal optimism. Also notable are characters Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) and Bailey (Ty Burrell), both of whom are being rehabilitated and have various disabilities that Dory accepts without question.

Look too for the animated re-partnering of Idris Alba and Dominic West from The Wire as two lazy sea lions who steal every moment they have onscreen.

For the rest of the review, go HERE.

About this column: I am Leslie Combemale. You can see ALL my reviews at www.cinemasiren.com. I am a movie lover and aficionado who aspires to get more people back into the beautiful alternate worlds offered in the dark at movie houses across the country. I am the owner of ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery. I interview actors, directors, and production artists from all over the world, and often I’m invited to present at conventions such as the San Diego Comic-Con, where I have been a panelist and host for The Art of the Hollywood Movie Poster, Classic Film History, Disney & Harry Potter Fandom discussions. Visit my film art gallery atwww.artinsights.com and see interviews and video reviews on my YouTube channel.