Hello dear reader, for my sixth review in just over two weeks I will be tackling a Disney sequel and what I think will be my very first Pixar review. Which is odd when you consider that since I started this little blogging adventure, back in 2012, Pixar have released five films and with the possible exception of The Good Dinosaur, they’ll all been box office hits. That isn’t to say I haven’t watched these releases. Over the last year and a half I have managed to catch up on, thanks in most part to dvd’s and video on demand, Brave, Monsters University and Inside Out. The latter being by far the best of the bunch and definitely worth a look if you ever find yourself at loose end, with an hour and thirty five minutes to kill.
So what is Finding Dory about? Well basically, if you remember Dory in Finding Nemo, you’ll recall she has a bit of a short term memory problem. A lot of people do, myself included and if you remember Dory in Finding Nemo, you’ll recall that she has a bit of a short term memory problem. A lot of people do, myself included. (Sorry, but just be glad I only did it twice) Voiced once again by the very charming Ellen DeGeneres, Dory with the help of some new and old friends sets about trying to find her ‘long lost parents’. Which, just to cut down on any potential confusion, doesn’t mean that Dory’s parents are big and aren’t very good at reading maps. No, it means that they’ve been missing and for a long time.
Finding Dory is co-directed by Angus Maclane and Andrew Stanton. The latter being responsible for two Pixar heavyweights. Dory’s predecessor Finding Nemo and WALL-E. However, his directorial CV is ever so slightly blemished by the Disney film John Carter. But seeing how it’s now been agreed that no one in polite society is even allowed to bring up this faux pas, he can continue make far superior animated classics without the fear of reprisal or reproach. This is good because Finding Dory is, at least from a visual standpoint, about as good as it’s possible to get, when it comes to computer generated story telling. A quick aside here. There is a short film that called Piper, which I believe is being shown at the start of very screening of Dory. Trust me when I tell you that even though it only runs for about five minutes, it’s worth the price of admission alone.
When you watch Pixar film the one thing you can be guaranteed is quality when it comes to the voices and Finding Dory is no exception. As I mentioned earlier, Dory is voiced by Ellen DeGeneres but the talent doesn’t stop there. Among the other voices on show here you have Albert Brooks returning as Nemo’s father Marlin. Ed O’Neil playing what I could best described as a ‘Special Forces’ octopus. That should really be septopus but you’d need to see the film to know why. Then on top of that you have Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, the excellent Kate ‘Ghostbusters’ Mckinnon, Bill Hader and Sigourney Weaver playing Sigourney Weaver. Special mentions should also go to Dominic West and Idris Elba, who play seals with personal space issues. And of course John Ratzenberger, who appears in every Pixar movie (don’t believe me, check for yourselves).
So what do you get if you put all of that flair and genius in the same room and let them play for a while? The simple answer is a film that delivers both for adults and for children too. It’s funny, charming and sad when it needs to be and if you like your mild peril to include a fish giving driving instructions to a cephalopod who happens to be behind the wheel of a truck headed for Cleveland, then boy oh boy is Finding Dory the Film for you!
This is, by my standards, a short review but to be honest given Pixar’s track record and excusing their little dinosaur blimp last year, you know exactly what you’re going to get when the sit down in front of one of their movies. You’ll be entertained and taken on a fun journey. There could be some tears along the way but you can be pretty sure that by the time the end credits roll you’ll have thoroughly enjoyed the ride and glad you took the time to watch it.
A perfect example of storytelling done well. Funny, captivating & affectionate.
#PixarPerfection
Useful Links:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2277860/?ref_=nv_sr_1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JNLwlcPBPI
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/finding-dory/review/
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