Well, from the standpoint of someone much to old to still acceptably watching movies rated G, I can proudly say I really enjoyed Pixar's Finding Dory. Now, I know most who watched the film only loved it because "Finding Nemo" was around when they were young and they felt like fitting in with the rest of society on the quest to be the cool older kids in a child's movie.
Honestly, as opposed to films like Frozen and more recent movies in the genre, this piece had some storyline to it. The comical aspects are what held the idea of Dory finding herself together. Dory, struggling with short-term memory loss took a lot of heat for her condition.
The positive points of the film told the struggles of a person growing up different and the difficulty in trying to blend in seamlessly. This is a good foundation to build a dimensional character from. Difference is a relatable common ground giving Dory's disposition sympathy. Another aspect of the film I enjoyed was that Dory was not just finding her family. Most children's movies have that simplicity to them that the main character is just working to one goal with some obstacles along the way. This journey was synonymous with it's title. The film may have been more appropriately named "Proving Dory" or "Becoming Dory," but regardless the film was a coming of age. It tied several themes of family and new family together, while not changing yourself. Nowadays I think this message is especially important for youth with all of the pressure out there.
Change is most likely the most daunting thing to young minds. Change and fitting in. Ideals out today provide a template for maturing too early and acting older, losing the innocence too soon. To me I feel like it is troubling for kids to even be kids anymore and I feel that this film encompasses those struggles. Dory portrays this loss, independence, and innocence.
All three traits balance her growth, much like that a child goes through. That is why movies that teach such valuable life lessons like this are important and should be praised for their ability to change the negative values.
