FINDING DORY

By: John ‘Doc’ Strange

Finding Dory continues the story we experienced in Finding Nemo. Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is happy that her friends are together again but our favorite blue tang fish has one deep desire, to find her parents. Her memory problem was the reason she lost her parents. We are shown young Dory (Sloane Murray) as she was being raised by her parents (Bill Hader and Kate McKinnon). Young Dory is SO cute! And her memory problem is only a part of what makes her so endearing. This young fish with her huge eyes will make your heart melt.

Dory goes about finding her parents like she does everything, pure instinct driving her actions, in other words, she has no idea how she does it but she always does. Perhaps her greatest talent is finding the right friends to help her.

Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) are along to help. She has the assistance of a “septopus” (an octopus with seven arms) named Hank (Ed O'Neill) to get her through some of the tight places. There is also a whale shark named Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) and a beluga whale named Bailey (Ty Burrell) who team up to give her a hand.

Dory slowly figures out what her memory is hiding from her; how she lost her parents and where they might be. Throughout this adventure she has visions from her past as she slowly follows the clues to locate her loved ones.

She sees her early days with her parents as they try to teach her what she needs to know to be safe. Dory and her companions take journey to find her parents but it is also a journey of discovery. Dory learns that her lack of memory is not a detriment to living a full and satisfying life. Her life is interesting and full of good friends.

This story has a nice pace and few good hooks that keep you guessing along the way. Dory learns how to deal with life despite her memory problems. She finds that she brings more to life than she thinks. The ending is as heartwarming as any I have ever seen.

I just wish I had found it more exciting to watch. I mean, for me the best part was that Dory knows Sigourney Weaver’s name (the actress does the announcements at the Marine Institute). This is a well made film with a strong family-friendly story that kids will love. I just didn’t love it the way I expect to.

Directed by: Andrew Stanton (co-directed by Angus MacLane)

Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Idris Elba, Kate McKinnon, Bill Hader, Dominic West, Diane Keaton, Kaitlin Olson, Andrew Stanton, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy

MPAA Rating: PG (for mild thematic elements)

Selig Rating: Full Price

Runtime: 103 Min.

Movie Site: http://movies.disney.com/finding-dory

The Selig Rating Scale:

FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price

MATINEE – Good movie

DOLLAR – OK movie

CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.

FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.

COMMERCIAL TV – Commercials and cutting to the allotted time will not hurt this one.

FORGET IT! – Bad. If you see this one, do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself.