Film: Finding Dory

GENRE: Animated, Adventure

RATING: PG for mild thematic elements
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 37 minutes

STARRING: Ellen DeGeneres (Finding Nemo, Ellen)

Albert Brooks (Concussion, Drive), Ed O’Neill (Modern Family)

DIRECTORS: Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, Finding Nemo)

Angus MacLane (newcomer)

WRITERS: Stanton (Toy Story 3, Wall-E), Victoria Strouse (newcomer)

PLOT: Dory, hampered with short-term memory loss, tries to find her parents and home with the help of Marlin & Nemo.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: I loved Finding Nemo

STORY STUFF: I was worried that this sequel would not live up to the original (like Cars 2) but this film really does compliment Nemo. Pixar is so good at telling stories. This film brings you on an emotional and adventurous journey. I was captivated the whole time.  

ACTING STUFF: Of course, DeGeneres kills it as Dory. But I also loved hearing Sloane Murray as Young Dory. Her voice was so cute. Also enjoyed hearing the voice of Ty Burrell (Modern Family) as Bailey the Beluga who was wonderfully neurotic. The sea lions were also fun.

ARTISTIC STUFF: The animation is stunning like usual. Loved the giant aquarium and the camouflage antics of Hank the Septapus. I also thoroughly enjoyed the opening Pixar short, Piper. The young bird was adorable and the animation of the sand was incredible.  Also, stick around until the end of the credits to revisit some old friends.

VERDICT: Four and a half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You enjoy Pixar films and have a heart

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Central Intelligence