NEW MOVIE: Finding Dory

Pixar has, for a long time, been at the top of the animation game, typically producing work that is not only technically revolutionary, but universally affecting. With 2016 comes a sequel to one of their most successful movies. Does Finding Dory have the same Pixar touch as the best of its contemporaries?

Rated PG for mild thematic elements

Finding Dory takes place a year after 2003's Finding Nemo.  We open to a look of what Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) was up to when she and Marlin (Albert Brooks, The Simpsons Movie, Drive) first met, then follows the blue tang as she begins remembering elements from her past. So begins another cross-ocean/cross-country adventure to find those important to us: family.

Finding Dory is a fantastic film and a beautifully-animated movie. It stands firmly on its own while building on the strengths of its predecessor. Whereas the title Finding Dory suggests that it could very easily become a simple rehash of the original, just with a different fish, it isn't. Nemo told two stories: Dory and Marlin's search for Nemo, and Nemo's finding himself. Dory isn't just about Marlin and Nemo finding Dory after she's taken by the Marine Life Institute; it's about Dory finding her parents, and finding how to accept herself despite her disability of short-term memory loss. These plots make for a moving film.

That said, like the best of Pixar, the moving family drama is coupled with smart humor. This sequel introduces several new characters, and puts many of the original's supporting characters in fun and creative cameo roles. Luckily, this all works out to make an entertaining ensemble. Hank the septapus (Ed O'Neill, Modern Family, Married...with Children!) becomes Dory's escape partner in the Institute, and their dynamic is really fun to watch as he helps her try to find her family (although reluctantly at first). Her whale friends, played by Ty Burrell (Modern Family, Muppets Most Wanted) and Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), are welcome additions and provide some great comedic moments. I love how Stanton thought to build on Dory's whale-talk by introducing actual whale characters; it's a natural progression! When Dory and the clownfish separate, Dory isn't the only one to meet new people. The clownfish meet some sea lion at the institute, voiced by Dominic West (John Carter, The Wire) and Idris Elba (in a much lighter role after voicing Shere Khan in The Jungle Book). They provide great comedic moments with their interactions with the stupid sea lion Gerald and loony common loon Becky. It's a pleasure to see Nemo encourage his father to be trusting in these people who seem useless on the outside, like Becky and even Dory; it gives them purpose and relevance in a film that is more about Dory.

It's a great balance this film has, where it can make us guffaw at characters like Gerald and the sea lions and otters, but also make us really emotionally invested in Dory's adventure. When she's at her lowest point and lost, the film feels like a mature drama. When we meet the colorful newcomers, the film feels like a hilarious adventure. Yet it never feels like a tonal inconsistency, but natural. The film never goes overboard with anything, and it's all treated in moderation. Even though Nemo's advice, "What would Dory do?" could get old if repeated too many times, it's not. Even though Dory's flashbacks when she encounters triggers threaten to get annoying and convenient, it doesn't. Even though it could make a preachy message on environmentalism, it doesn't, comfortable that we can get it through visual cues, like sunken Volkswagons, or wrappers and other pollution that characters get stuck in. Because of the moderation, there are no qualms to be had with the material, yet we're still affected by it, whether Stanton wants us to feel excited, adventurous, entertained, giggly, or worried. That's why I have to give Finding Dory a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

Hank, a great addition, and Dory have the best interactions of any characters in the film.

There is so much more that could be said about Finding Dory, but I don't want to gush over things that would be better experienced for the first time in a theater without much prior knowledge. The film feels like an ideal and natural continuation of the characters of Finding Nemo. And perhaps there we find the genius of this Pixar sequel. It cares about the characters more than the story. Usually when we think of sequels, we start forming a story that would be in the spirit of the original, but then we either get a rehash or something too big for our characters. This sequel, though, takes us on a character's journey rather than a journey with beloved characters. Whereas an X-Men: The Last Stand creates bigger stakes and a bigger story for the characters to experience, Finding Dory's story evolves from the maturation of the characters, whether in dealing with a handicap or experiencing loss for the first time. Go see it at the theater, stay until the very end of the credits, and experience what has the Best Animated Feature Oscar in the bag. Also, the preceding short film, Piper, is the most beautiful animation I have ever seen: a cute story of a young bird learning how to adapt to its surroundings and being brave. The animation really is stunning in how real it looks.

Note: I have been made aware by some foster parents that the film's dealing with heavy topics of abandonment and loss may be difficult for some foster/adopted kids. If you are a foster/adoption parent, it has been suggested that you preview the film for your children before taking them to see it. I thought the film was fantastic, but I also have not had experiences like these characters have that would act as a trigger. I thought I would share this information with my readers.

Have you seen Finding Dory? What's your favorite Pixar film? Whatever you have to say about me or the movies, comment below!