Finding Dory – movie review

Family is at the heart of Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo (2003), which has a standalone script (in other words, if you haven’t seen the former, you can still appreciate the latter).

When we are first reacquainted with Dory here, she is living a comfortable existence with loving parents who dote on her, patiently helping her manage her short-term memory loss. They don’t try to change her, but want her to be comfortable in her own skin, so to speak. Despite their best efforts though, young Dory gets lost and then proceeds to wander around the ocean, seemingly forever. And slowly she forgets why she is doing just that. As a massive stingray migration passes by it triggers Dory’s memories, which come flooding back and suddenly she is motivated to track down her family again. To that end, she recruits Marlin and Nemo for a life-changing adventure across the sea to California’s Marine Life Institute (MLI), a rehabilitation centre and aquarium.

There Dory enlists the help of three of the Institute’s most intriguing residents. They are Hank, a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip, Bailey, a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark.

Director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL•E) has crafted an animated feature about Dory finding herself in every way. “She’s compelling and vulnerable and has yet to recognise her own strengths,” Stanton says.

Ellen DeGeneres returns as the voice of Dory, Albert Brooks is Marlin and Ed O’Neill is Hank. Other big names in the vocal cast include Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton, who portray Dory’s parents.

While the basic contention is sound, the longer the film went, the more and more it irritated me. While I loved the colour and movement and humour, DeGeneres’ vocal portrayal of Dory’s forgetfulness became nothing short of wearing. It really tested my patience, which was at breaking point long before the movie finished.

I also have a criticism of the plot. While I have already mentioned that much of the film is based around Dory finding her parents, having spent an eternity trying this way and that to reconnect, when they eventually do the reunion is given short shrift. Then, before you know it, the filmmakers move onto the next chapter. Not on, as far as I am concerned. They dismissed the family get together far too quickly. As for the ending, it was nothing short of preposterous … and by then the picture had gone on for far too long anyway.

So, a strong set up gave way to a mediocre middle and tortuous third act. Stick to the original, which was better. Rated G, Finding Dory scores a 5½ to 6 out of 10.

Director: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane
Cast: (Voices of) Ellen DeGeneres, Idris Elba, Albert Brooks, Kaitlin Olson, Diane Keaton
Release Date: 16 June 2016
Rating: G

Alex First