Some 13 years after its record-breaking success, FINDING DORY rises to the surface as the long-awaited followup to Finding Nemo. This time around the story centers on our beloved Tang fish Dory, whom after being separted from her parents in her youth, is on a mission to reunite with them. With the help of her father-son duo of pals Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence), they forge ahead on their journey, only to find themselves separted. Battling with her own forgetfulnes, time and a litany of course-derailing obstacles, Dory must depend ultimately on herself and accomplish the impossible. Along the way, she gets help in the most unlikely of ways. But is it too late? And will she find her way back to friends Marlin and Nemo?
FINDING DORY while full of humour and goofy aquatic antics, manages to be just the right amount of smart and full of heart. We love the spirit of independence and loyalty explored and Andrew Stanton and Co.‘s story never once becomes clouded with the superfluous. It is as clear as the waters that carry the story along. Above this the experience here is heightened with startling realism in animation both above and below water.
DeGeneres after an extended absence from the big screen with her phenomenal daytime TV success, hasn’t lost a step and is in fine form channeling Dory‘s quirkiness, still managing to deliver an empowered display, lovably vulnerable at all the right moments. The feat is even greater considering the limited range of emotions expressed visually by her character on-screen.
Ed O’Neill is wonderful as the crafty seven-tentacle octopus Hank, whom despite having selfish reasons to help Dory, wins us over in the end with his three big hearts. Despite taking a supporting role this time around, Nemo and Marlin’s story focuses on their own bond and friendship with Dory. The beloved Clown fish swim just enough to the side of the frame, focus softened a little, as Dory shines front and center.
We laughed hard and the waterworks aren’t only on-screen but also in our eyes in Finding Dory, which without a doubt is bound for some more record-breaking success this Summer!
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release FINDING DORY Friday, June 17, 2016.
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