Oh Pixar – you are wonderful. The magic of film truly lives
with this company. An opening short film called Piper is magical
– not many words. Just cute images of a baby sandpiper learning to dig up
shells, learning about the power of the ocean, and truly finding his sea legs.
Extraordinarily cute.
Then our main event, Finding Dory, is beyond
excellent. Superb animation – the film glows with color. Excellent story line –
it picks up where Finding Nemo left off and has Dory finding her
parents. But it also highlights learning challenges, memory, family, and
friends. So many messages in a short film. However, it does not beat you over
the head with stuff – the message is subtle but strong. Enjoyable humor –
nice warm chuckles with so many lines. Engaging characters – Dory, Marlin, Nemo,
and Hank the octopus. Fabulous voice acting and well thought out rich
characters.
Yes, I gush. This film is just entertaining and worthy of
your money – see it on the big screen. Ellen DeGeneres is so sincere and rather
poignant as Dory. With her short term memory loss she’s challenged. Yet the
glow of her spirit shines and perseverance wins out. Her mother (Diane Keaton)
and Dad (Eugene Levy) left her with good life lessons and slowly she works her
way back to find them (spoiler alert – will there be a reunion??)
And Hank the octopus deserves his own film. Such a hoot. We
know, from real life, how clever octopus are in escape, etc. Hank sets the
example for intrepid escapes, schemes, and true friendship. He does not let
Dory down.
I won’t give more away. Just go now and see Finding Dory– hear Albert Brooks
(Marlin) fret for Dory, Nemo, and life. Root for Dory, the blue tang with a
huge heart and big eyes to navigate the seas, the Marine Wild Life Institute
(shout out to Sigourney Weaver), and find her roots – her path of
seashells. Glorious film making………this is why I love the movies!!!
