From the minute “Baby Dory” swims onto the screen with her tiny voice and little stutter you could hear the audience around you “awwwwing” and marvel at her cuteness. She goes into explaining how she has short-term “rememembery” loss, practicing how to say it to her peers when she is allowed to go past the undertow and play with them. It is then that you meet Charlie and Jenny, Dory’s parents, the audience also learns just how much these two fish care about and nurture their baby fishie.
Throughout the movie, you learn how Dory became separated from her mom and dad and follows her through an adventurous journey that only could happen to Dory. Along the way Dory meets Hank, the octopus with PTSD who fears going back into the open ocean, Destiny who was Dory’s “pipe pal” when they were mere kids back at the marine institution, and Bailey the Beluga Whale that cannot figure out how to use his echolocation. It is with the help of this eclectic group of characters, as well as Marlin and Nemo (Don’t forget the clown fish!!!), that Dory is able to find her parents who had never given up hope that they would be reunited with their beloved daughter.
Throughout the movie I noticed that the parents that were in the audience with their kids held them a little tighter. What struck me most in the audience was the amount of late teenager to early 20's that took the time to see the latest installment. Almost three-fourths of the audience seemed to be above the age of 17 and understood the "Finding Nemo" references, which were lost on the younger generation.
I think it is amazing how one movie franchise can bring together so many age groups as well as demographics, and each walked away with a profound lesson that gave them inspiration. In this case Dory taught us all that “there is always away," yes, life will throw obstacles your way but you must always persevere. You must stay motivated and maintain your focus on your goal. In this case it was sweet little Dory finding her way back to her loving home and her mom and dad. If you enjoyed "Finding Nemo," I highly recommend you check out "Finding Dory." It’s safe to say Pixar kept the ocean water and it’s darling sea creatures lives interesting and charming enough to envision a third installment. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another thirteen years!!
"Finding Dory" swam into local theaters June 17, 2016. If you are going back for a second serving of the fish OR have yet to see it and plan to, make sure to pay attention to the quarantine room for friends of Finding Nemo including a picture of Darla and sticker on the wall of the 2003 cast.
Thank you PIXAR for hiding a special secret that only the original "Finding Nemo" fans would find and understand.
