“I’m so sorry, see I suffer from short-term memory loss,” Dory says to Marlin.
“Short-term memory loss? I don’t believe this.”
“No, no it’s true! It runs in my family,” Dory says. “Well, at least I think it does. Hmm. Where are they?”
Thirteen years later, it’s time to find out.
Viewers who have been looking forward to this since its prequel won’t be disappointed; the story is original, but the main characters are back. Even Crush and Squirt make an appearance, showing that friendship and family are just important as they were in “Finding Nemo.”
The story begins just where “Finding Nemo” ended: Marlin, Nemo, and Dory have returned to routine life as close friends. When Dory suddenly remembers she lost her parents as a child, the three fish begin (another) ocean-wide journey toward a reunion.
In part, it was the friendly characters that made “Finding Nemo” such a success, so the new characters really bring the film to life. Dory finds a long-lost companion and makes an unlikely friend, depicting the importance message of caring about others.
In part, it was the friendly characters that made “Finding Nemo” such a success, so the new characters really bring the film to life. Dory finds a long-lost companion and makes an unlikely friend, depicting clearly the importance of caring about others. Specifically, Baby Dory.
With eyes that big and bright, it’s easy to fall in love with the guppy Dory, who appears in flashbacks throughout the movie as Dory’s memories return little by little. Watching baby Dory discover what it means to have “short-term remembery loss” and learn to play hide-and-seek with her parents enriches the “family comes first” message. But Marlin and Nemo, are clearly present throughout the journey, showing the important balance between family and friends.
These friends actually help highlight the main character’s traits. Hank, the grumpy yet helpful “septopus” (he lost a tentacle) travels from room to room showing off his impressive camouflage abilities. Though he’s determined not to befriend Dory (or anyone, for that matter) Hank’s pessimistic attitude and determined spirit is perfectly balanced by Dory’s distracted thoughts.
While the movie focuses on Dory’s journey to her parents, she’s not afraid to stop and help others on the way, and introduce the audience to some lovable characters. Dory has time to reassure a fun-loving whale shark named Destiny, that she looks great as she swims, and she helps teach a curious baby beluga named Bailey how to use echolocation.
Even long lasting characters Marlin and Nemo learn from Dory’s creative mind and unintimidated spirit. They even ask each other, “What would Dory do?” when they encounter trouble.
Among the other lovable characters are Becky, the silly yet loyal loon, and Rudder and Fluke, the sea lions who (attempt to) aid Marlin and Nemo.
Directed by Andrew Stanton (director of “Finding Nemo”) and co-directed by Angus MacLane, “Finding Dory” maintains the themes of “Finding Nemo”—the importance of family and friends—that made it so lovable. Although a large portion of Stanton’s audience is now 20 years old, rather than 7, Stanton directed the film just as he did with “Finding Nemo,” allowing those 20-year-olds to take a step back and relive a portion of their childhood.
There’s a reason “Finding Dory” broke box-office records this week as the biggest opening by an animated film ($136.2 million): Dory was worth the wait.
