IT’S been a long wait for fans of 2003’s ‘Finding Nemo’ to get their sequel but it’s finally here, and it’s worth the wait.
Already in North America, ‘Finding Dory’ has become the largest grossing animation title of all time, knocking ‘Shrek 2’ off his ogre-like perch.
The plot, as you can imagine, isn’t that complicated. As with the original, a small fish gets separated from its family in the big ocean, and embarks on a difficult journey to find their way back home.
A story that’s been told a million times throughout history, but one which Disney and Pixar somehow manage to find clever and unique ways to keep fresh.
When a solitary Dory, who suffers from short term memory loss, suddenly remembers that she has loved ones who may be looking for her, she takes off with Marlin and Nemo on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation centre and aquarium.
In an effort to find her parents, Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank, a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey, a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the wane; and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark.
Deftly navigating the complex inner workings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.
Aside from the part of Nemo, the original voice actors are back, with Albert Brooks as Marlin, and the inherently amusing Ellen DeGeneres as Dory. As with all the best animation films that have been produced in recent times, there is something here for adults and children alike. Laughs, clever dialogue and amazingly detailed and colourful animation.
There seems to be a real thirst amongst cinema-goers for family entertainment, and Hollywood has been delivering of late with such films as ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ and ‘The BFG’.
But what sets this film apart from the competition is its heart and its wonderfully crafted and entertaining story. We score it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
REVIEW: Paul O’Rourke
