Verdict
Summary
If you’re looking for something to take the kids too this weekend then Finding Dory should be on your must-see list, although if you have kids then I’m sure you already have tickets booked.
Plot: Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember is that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. Her journey brings her to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean species. Dory now knows that her family reunion will only happen if she can save mom and dad from captivity.
Review: It’s been 13 years since the Pixar classic Finding Nemo swam into theatres but the sheen hasn’t rubbed off as Finding Dory still has the same magic as the original. The original cast return including Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks but it’s Ed O’Niell’s octopus Hank who steals the show. He’s a gruff crotchety loner (like me) who just wants to hitch a ride to Cleveland but when he meets Dory life has other plans. He was definitely the audience’s favourite when we came out but I enjoyed Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy as Dory’s parents too.
*Interesting tidbit* Eugene was at the screening with us which was a pleasant surprise.
Although this is essentially a kid’s film there is plenty to enjoy for the entire family with a positive message about overcoming disabilities and the importance of family.
Some people have found the character of Dory to be quite annoying but I always found her appealing and funny; any time she “speaks whale” had me in hysterics. I actually never really liked Marlin (Albert Brooks) as I always found him a bit overly neurotic which he still is in this movie but that is his character’s journey really.
The story goes in a few different directions keeping things interesting and at 97 minutes it moves along quickly. The kids in the audience certainly were engaged and managed to not be annoying for the duration… which is rare.
Overall, if you’re looking for something to take the kids too this weekend then Finding Dory should be on your must-see list, although if you have kids then I’m sure you already have tickets booked.