Review of Finding Dory By Disney and Pixar

Let’s talk about Finding Dory.

Last week three of my children and I got to watch an advance screening of the new movie by Disney•Pixar. It features the return of Dory, Nemo, and Marlin to the big screen along with a bunch of other favorites from the original movie Finding Nemo plus some new marine-folk.

If you enjoyed Finding Nemo, I can pretty much guarantee you are going to love Finding Dory.

What my kids think about Finding Dory by Disney•Pixar.

Here’s what my kids had to say — filtered to avoid spoilers — but not corrected for grammar.

Anna, age 12. “I thought the cuddle party was really funny. I like that part. I liked the part where they were xxxxxxxx the car. I very much liked the movie and I liked the memories.”

Peter, age 7. “I liked the part where they found the octopus and got xxxxx xx xx. And I also liked the part where they met the squid. I liked the movie 100% and I want to watch it again.”

Joshua, age 7. “My favorite part was when they had the cuddle party on the xxxx. And also, I liked it when there were tons of fish like Dory. And my also favorite part was when they meet the whale. I loved, loved, loved the movie and I would watch it a thousand more times if I could. If not a billion.”

What I think about Finding Dory.

This was our first advanced screening to attend, so on the way there I was giving my kids instructions. “This is a professional event. Does everyone have shoes on?” (I probably should have asked that before we got on the interstate!) “We have to be quiet and respectful. Everyone there will be working.” and “When we are done – it will be your job to tell me what you thought about this movie, so pay attention and be quiet.”

And they were so good! At one point, one of my twins looked over at me and whispered “Shhh. Mommy, you are laughing too loud. We have to be quiet.” Ha! I will have to admit that I was enjoying myself a little bit loudly. I got swept away in the story.

I loved the focus on family. The story line was beautiful and well-done. I only had to hide my eyes once! For those of you who haven’t ever seen me watch a movie, let me explain. I’m so very sensitive to any kind of suspense, and honestly I’ve never seen a Disney movie I didn’t think was suspenseful. Some more than others. So, often times when my kids are watching a Disney film in the living room, I’m leaving the room to go get popcorn, or go to the bathroom, or whatever. So I don’t have to endure the suspense.

But when I go to the theater, I can’t just get up and leave with my kids sitting there having the time of their lives. So I plug my ears and shut my eyes until the suspense is over. However mild. My kids and husband find it amusing and more than a little embarrassing. What I found fascinating about Finding Dory is that I was literally so involved in the story line, I didn’t notice the suspense much. I just experienced and enjoyed the movie.

This is the kind of movie that will sweep you into the story – maybe even more than Finding Nemo (which I loved). And if you are like me, you might cry. (Just saying – maybe. Ahem.)

At one point I literally had chills.

It is being said that the first ever Disney lesbian couple makes an appearance in this movie. What we saw in this movie – if it indeed is a lesbian couple – is nothing more than what my children see in every park and public place we go and it could just as easily have been two good mom friends with six kids running ahead of them. So I’m a little confused by the people trying to make this into something negative. This is a non-issue to me and I’m pretty sure when you see the movie you are going to say “What in the world was all that hype about.” You can see the entire clip in the trailer above. Just like the “two dads” hype about the LEGO Batman movie, this was much ado about nothing.

Educational Content in Finding Dory

Part of Finding Dory takes place in the Marine Life Institute in California and the entire movie is rich with educational opportunities. For the most part the aquatic animals are amazing representations of what these animals look like in real life. The movie offers a great chance to discuss taking care of marine life by taking care of our environment but that is not the thrust of the movie by any means. I’m just saying – if you wanted to turn Finding Dory into a unit study on marine animals or environmental protection you certainly could.

The animation in this movie is jaw-dropping.

What Disney•Pixar says about Finding Dory.