The movie "Finding Nemo" was released 13 years ago. Let that sink in for a second. I vividly remember going to the theater to watch it when it first came out, and my six-year-old self was fascinated by the vibrant sea creatures and marine landscape. Honestly, that movie is probably what contributed to my phase of wanting to be a marine biologist. "Finding Nemo" was such a success that everyone knew a sequel was imminent, and now the wait is finally over.
"Finding Dory" has already received a 94 percent on movie critic site “Rotten Tomatoes,” a score reserved for only the highest quality movies. It can be very hard for a sequel to fulfill the same expectations that the original created, but in my opinion, "Finding Dory" certainly came as close as possible. One of the most noteworthy aspects of the new film is the addition of many new characters. There is no lack of biodiversity in our oceans, and the movie does a great job of incorporating several subtle yet valuable lessons into the script about conservation and keeping the oceans clean.
Each of the new sea creatures in the movie has a very specific skill-set, and they all work together to accomplish the goal of helping Dory find her parents. Since volleyball is never far from my mind, I began assigning each animal as a position on the court. So, here is the lineup of the cast of "Finding Dory"- volleyball style.
1. Dory- Libero
Dory is the main character in the movie, and spends a large amount of time crossing the ocean with the attempt of remembering where she once lived. One quality about Dory that would make her an excellent libero is actually her short term memory loss. My coaches would always say that the best players are able to easily forget past plays and focus on the upcoming point, almost like having a selective memory. Dory would be a pro at not letting prior mistakes inhibit her ability, making her a quality libero.
2. Hank- Setter
Hank is a stealthy octopus, although Dory calls him a “septopus” because he lost a tentacle along the way. He frequently creates game plans throughout the movie, and isn’t afraid to improvise when variables arise. Hank would be a good setter because well… with seven different tentacles to set the ball, he would probably never become tired.
3. Destiny- Middle Hitter.
Destiny is one of the new characters in the film, trapped in the aquarium due to her poor eyesight. She is a whale shark, which is one of the largest sea creatures alive today. Her size alone would make her an excellent middle. Try hitting around those fins!
4. Becky- Right Side Hitter.
Becky is a loon bird that Nemo befriends. She seems to be a bit odd, but in the end, assists Dory and Marlin in their mission. She would be a formidable RS due to her ability to focus on one target, and lock in on certain spots. Becky would have the accuracy to hit open spots on the court, as well as tricky line shots.
5. Bailey- Outside Hitter.
Baily is a beluga whale that also lives in the aquarium, alongside Destiny. He is in the center due to a seemingly damaged “echolocation,” or biological sonar system. Bailey is initially timid and does not believe in his own abilities, but later becomes a valuable member of the team. His sonar and size would allow him to accurately and powerfully hit the ball. Look out for this massive front row!
6. Gerald- Defensive Specialist.
This character was wildly unexpected, but arguably made me laugh the most out of all of the animals. Gerald is a sea lion, unfortunately, shunned by his peers due to his appearance and personality. However, he would be good at diving and hitting the floor, being able to pancake the ball up. After reaching huge success, Gerald could even find his own rock to sit on.
Coaches: Marlin and Nemo.
These two would be good instructors because they tend to have opposite personalities that balance each other out. Marlin could handle the organization of the team, while Nemo would be in charge of inspiring the players and giving positive feedback.
In conclusion, "Finding Dory" shattered my expectations for a sequel to the original, and made me want to dive back into the ocean to see these creatures in real life. If you haven’t had the chance to see the movie yet, I would highly recommend that you add it to your summer list. And as always, just keep swimming!
