"Finding Dory" (2016) tells a story appearing not so much like a sequel to "Finding Nemo" (2003) as it does as a film existing in the same Disney-Pixar animated universe.
Compare the two films to the relation between Disney and Marvel’s "Ant-Man" (2015) and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015). "Ant-Man" tells a story set in the same universe as yet chronologically after the events of "Age of Ultron." While some story elements in "Ant-Man" call back to effects of "Avengers," "Ant-Man" largely tells its own story.
In a similar vein to "Ant-Man," "Finding Dory" tells a story chronologically after "Finding Nemo," yet it's not quite a continuation of that story. Sure, characters such as series staples like Marlon, Nemo and a few surprises return in Dory’s latest adventure. For the most part, though, the cast is reasonably different. The film explores Dory’s past. It expands her world. For therein lies the point that this is Dory's latest adventure, not a rehash of "Finding Nemo"
That said, those looking to continue the story of Nemo, Marlon and the reef will be satisfied to see how characters evolved. The resolve of Nemo himself inspires.
And let not the film's cutesy look fool you; if anything, the story feels more mature not less. Its themes lie closer to "Inside Out" (2015) perhaps than "Finding Nemo." For while both "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory" tell stories of loss and family, the new outing has more to do with memory than it does with adventure. It still has its share of adventure too.
Touting a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Finding Dory" tells a great story through and through. Still playing in theaters, if you have not seen it yet!
"'Finding Dory' reunites the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family along the way. The all-new big-screen adventure dives into theaters in 2016, taking moviegoers back to the extraordinary underwater world from the original film." Courtesy of Disney.
