Finding Dory

It's quite a tall order for Pixar to match one of their original films, especially one that many people regard as one of their best -- if not their absolute best. 

Personally I hold Finding Nemo in my Top 3 Pixar films and it's easily one of their funniest films to date, which is saying quite a lot. 

Aside from the Toy Story trilogy, Pixar has had a difficult time with follow-ups in its other franchises as Monsters University was underwhelming and not all that necessary and they've been shy to develop sequels for some of their biggest hits (though that seems to be changing now). 

Finding Dory is one of their biggest tests as it focuses on one of their most beloved characters and worlds and tries to not succumb to disappointing sequel-itis. 

Lucky for audiences, Pixar doesnt often disappoint and Finding Dory is another fine entry on their resume. I don't think it cracks their Top 5, but I think I could certainly find room in my Pixar Top 10 for it. Stating it once more...it's a tall order to match a film I regard as an "Instant Classic". To have done that would have been mind-blowing and exhilarating, but nonetheless, Pixar gave us a great animated sequel with many of the common staples of their success: a touching story, fantastic, memorable characters, a funny script, and colorful, gorgeous animation. 

On an interesting play on words, Finding Dory is much more about Dory finding herself and what makes her special as opposed to the more physical "finding" of Nemo in the first film. Not only do we get several flashbacks of baby Dory (literally the cutest thing in the world, BTW), we learn the tragic story of how Dory lost her parents. A triggered memory from Dory's past leads her, Marlin, and Nemo on an adventure to California to find her parents. The pacing of the film is a bit rushed if I do say so myself. At this point, I think Pixar has earned the right to have slightly lengthier animated films, but yet Dory is just over 90 minutes in length. That means that the trio's venture across the ocean is nothing but a 2-3 minute segment. Given the adventures of sea travel from the last film, I was a tad bummed out by this, but the new destination of a Marine Aquarium has it's fun aspects too. There are emotional parts and times where you really feel for Dory. It never reaches those Pixar emotional wrecks like Toy Story 3, Up, or even last year's Inside Out, but it tugs the heart strings regardless. The finale itself is a very fun escape sequence that's probably one of the better scenes this year just because of its sheer ludicrousness.  

Ed O'Neill is a method actor. That's actually him in an octopus suit.

Probably my favorite new additions ^^

One of the best parts about this sequel too are the added characters. Nemo had some of the more memorable animated characters in history, and while I don't think any of the new ones quite match the original, there are a plethora of newcomers that are fun and hilarious. I was losing it pretty much every time there was a scene with the seals on a rock, but the two new whales are also a funny pair, and Hank the octopus is a strong plot catalyst who's reaction to Dory's constant memory loss is amusing. The voice acting is all on point too. Obviously Ellen DeGeneres leads the show here as her iconic character, but the cast of Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Idris Elba, Sigourney Weaver (in a very funny, meta role), and many others all are funny fits for the animals chosen. The comedy is still very much there in this sequel, but it never can quite reach the highs of the original. Likely this is because the whole "short term memory loss" aspect is less fresh this time around and some of those jokes aren't quite as funny as they used to be, especially when you consider how they play a role in Dory's tragic loss. But there are still plenty of comedic moments that had myself, and my theater full of parents and kids laughing hard. I come back to the seals because they were priceless, but the script itself is well written too and some of the newcomers also have things that make them "special" that can be very funny. 

Dory also earns major points for simply being gorgeous. Pixar are masters of their craft and even years later Finding Nemo remains one of the most beautiful, colorful animated films ever. Finding Dory is similarly exquisitely animated and features a shocking, amazing palette of color. Even in the little details, like separate creature/fish movements, it's all expertly created and researched and it makes an obviously-fictional film with talking animals feel that much more real. It's mesmerizing on more than one occasion and, even though I know it will never happen, I can't help but feel how awesome it would be for Pixar to create a Marvel or Star Wars film. 

"HelllOOOOO IiiiaammM DoooOOORRyyYY!"

Finding Dory is a great sequel to a classic film. There's really no other way to put it. Is it another Pixar classic itself? Not quite, no, but that shouldn't diminish the entertainment value it brings despite that and the fact that it lets us experience another adventures with these characters that we love. 

CONS:

• I felt as if there were some pacing issues as the gang arrives all the way in California pretty quickly. Pixar could have added 10-20 minutes and I don't think many would've complained
• Some of the originality of the first film is gone, naturally, and it makes the film slightly less dazzling than when we all saw the original many years ago
• Related to the second bullet...some of the old jokes aren't as effective this time around

PROS:

• The story is only slightly repetitive and it's more about Dory finding herself than anything. Utilizing flashbacks, Pixar crafts a tale that resonates emotionally, especially if you're a parent, and that kids can learn from too
• Still a very funny universe. The final escape sequence is a delight and some of the reoccurring gags/jokes are darn good
• Ellen DeGeneres was born to play Dory and she owns the character. Well done here
• Superb voice cast outside of the main star too
• A handful of hilarious and memorable new characters are introduced and end up being tons of fun
• Some of the best animation ever done. The ocean is not an easy thing to recreate but Pixar crushes it
• Insanely colorful
• Good original score
• Tons of fun and it's got great entertainment value

Rath's Review Score: 8.5/10