This last week I finally saw the long awaited sequel to the ever-popular "Finding Nemo." Thirteen years ago, the first movie emphasized the importance of family and what a father would go through to save his son. A very uncomfortable and overprotective Marlin braves sharks, jellyfish and numerous other obstacles (including a forgetful but helpful companion) in order to find his only son. "Finding Dory" is also hugely centered around this concept of finding family as we see Dory race all the way across the ocean to find her long lost parents.

Dory is willing to sacrifice everything to find her parents whom she hasn't seen since she was only a itty bitty (and absolutely adorable I might add) little tang. We all know that Dory has short term... What were we talking about again? Haha. Dory's short term memory loss seems to have defined her as a character, but this movie chronicles her subconscious fight to be more than a forgetful fish. As Dory searches for her parents, she ends up finding so much more. She finds herself. I don't want to give away too much so as not to ruin the movie for those who have yet to see it, but I do want to emphasize just how deep the story-line and message are. Get ready to dive into some deep emotions and keep an eye out for just how much Dory finds in the midst of being lost literally and figuratively.

At the end of "Finding Nemo," Marlin realizes that smothering his son will not keep his safe and Nemo realizes that he should appreciate his father's love and protection of him. The love and bond of family overcomes difficulties as big as the ocean. At the end of "Finding Dory," she not only finds her biological family, but she finds that there is more to family than DNA and there is more to herself than short term memory loss.

This is a movie that everyone can relate to. We all have insecurities and doubts about ourselves in life and we all have had or will have the experience of really needing to find ourselves. This movie reminds us that we are not always defined by our family or even those around us, even though we are influenced by them. Our identity does not rest in a place or in people, and sometimes we need to get a little bit lost to really find out who we are.

I would definitely suggest this movie to anyone who is interested in seeing it. It is fun, family-friendly, moving, adorable and flat out hilarious! New characters are introduced and they excel in making a sequel that is not only worthy of following it's original, but that is also unique and distinct from it's original. At no point did I feel that the movie was too slow or skimping on quality or message. Even if the sequel took thirteen years, the excess of time allowed for a quality film that will thrill audiences of all ages.

Go see the movie. Take time to find yourself and whenever you feel lost, "Just keep swimming!"