Finding Dory (Review)


Click here for the trailer.
The much-anticipated sequel to Finding Nemo has finally been released in the UK. It was a little frustrating how long it's taken between the release between the US and here but nevertheless, it's nothing in the grand scheme of things considering the thirteen years(!) between the first and this.

One year after Dory helped reunite Marlin reunite with his son Nemo, she is settled into her new life. While still seemingly oblivious to people's struggles with her, everyone welcomes her into the adopted family and life continue. When some long-forgotten childhood memories resurface, she embarks on a journey to be reunited with her parents, with help from her adopted family.

Along the way, she gets separated from the two clownfish and is forced to make new friends as well as reuniting with some old. A grouchy chameleonic octopus called Hank, proves to be the best friends who puts his own plans at risk to help her out despite his grouchiness; a near-sighted whale shark names Destiny, guide Dory through the pipes and tanks of the Sea World-like institution in California.
It's very much a same-but-different spin on the previous film but with less of the urgency and more of a focus and developing a story. I loved the flashbacks to Dory growing up, especially when she is a little fish. I was defintely a little shocked to discover she wasn't originally from 'the wild' but it also adds an extra dimension and the main struggle is getting in and out of the complex.
I think the disability feature is a really lovely component of the story. Showing how Dory's parents do their best to care for her despite a disability is one of those moments that children will realise that even though someone may be disabled, still treat them with love and respect. History recall, she suffers from chronic short-term memory loss!
I really like how Dory's personality is translated in the pace of the movie. Her optimistic personality and the anxieties created by her imperfect memory is transferred to multiple speed ranges from calm to a frenzied tone and sometimes darts from place to place, creating the anxious tone.
Overall, I think the film is funny and perfectly optimistic but with a lovely message about never giving up on the ones you love.

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