"Finding Dory" came out this weekend, and the movie we’ve been waiting years for didn’t disappoint. I ended up seeing it the day it came out, and I loved it. Though there weren’t any doubts in my mind that it would be worth the $8 spent on a ticket, here are some reasons you should swim on over to your local theater and see "Finding Dory."
(Warning: minor spoilers ahead. I discuss some of the characters featured in the movie, as well as the overall plot. Nothing is discussed that will ruin your viewing experience!)
1. The Pixar short before the movie
Honestly, one of my favorite parts of any Pixar movies are the animated shorts that air before the movie begins. The short accompanying "Finding Dory" is no exception. "Piper" tells the story of a little sandpiper bird living on the beach that is afraid of the water. The animation, as with many of the other Pixar shorts, is gorgeous (they animated every grain of sand!) and the story is heartwarming. You’ll fall in love with the little bird before the actual movie even starts. "Piper" isn’t available on the internet yet, so the only way to see this wonderful Pixar short is to go see "Finding Dory."
2. Revisiting our favorite characters
Dory, Nemo and Marlin are the main characters in this story. The movie continues the story from where "Finding Nemo" left off, showing us their lives one year later. They aren’t the only characters from "Finding Nemo" to make a reappearance, as Nemo’s classmates and teacher pop up, as well as the sea turtles. However, the story focuses on the journey Dory, Nemo and Marlin make to find Dory’s family. It’s also nice to see where a lot of Dory’s quirks and sayings come from as she starts to remember key parts of her life.
3. Meeting new characters
With the new movie comes many new characters that I fell in love with. My favorite was Hank, a septopus (or an octopus with only seven legs) who grumpily helps Dory along her journey. The new characters also include Destiny, a cheerful whale shark who can’t swim straight and Bailey, a beluga whale struggling with his echolocation abilities. Each character that was introduced in "Finding Dory" was lovable in their own way, and I can’t wait for children to fall in love with this new set of characters.
4. Lessons learned
As with every Disney movie, "Finding Dory" teaches a few important lessons. In some ways, it had a simple message that many movies try to teach kids: believe in yourself and you can do anything. Dory’s crazy journey across the ocean proves that you can do a lot if you just set your mind to it. However, it also portrays dealing with disability in a very personal way. Dory, as we know from the first movie, has a problem with short term memory loss. The movie not only shows coping techniques that Dory uses to deal with her disability, but also shows Marlin learning how to treat Dory with respect. The movie never sounds preachy, but it’s a touching story that everyone can benefit from seeing.
The long-awaited sequel to "Finding Nemo" was a treat, which I believe children and adults alike will enjoy. If you’re looking for a fun summer movie to see, "Finding Dory" may be just the splash you need.
