It seems as if I’m the only one in the world who didn’t like Toy Story and its sequel. While I recognized that the computer animation was groundbreaking, I was disappointed with the voiceover work, which didn’t always match the look of the characters themselves, and with the dragged-out storylines. However, since 1998’s A Bug’s Life, I have really enjoyed Pixar’s films, and their latest entry Finding Nemo is clearly the best thus far.
Finding Nemo sets its tale under the sea and involves the journey of an overprotective clown fish named Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) who sets out to find his lost son Nemo, who is trapped in an aquarium in a dentist’s office. One might wonder how a simple fish could have the slightest chance of rescuing his son from a fish tank on dry land, but Marlin’s quest introduces him to numerous underwater creatures who (like the audience) really do want him to find his son.
Such is the appeal of animation powerhouse Pixar’s movies-they always create magical worlds that are inhabited by a wide variety of characters that the audience cares about even though they are not human. Not only are the characters engaging and beautifully drawn, but the overall look of the film itself really shows just how talented and creative the filmmakers at Pixar have become. The visuals of a deep blue underwater world are almost worth the price of admission alone, but when you factor in memorable characters such as sea turtles who begin every sentence with the word “dude”, a great white shark who’s desperately trying to stay on the wagon (there’s a hilarious scene of sharks having an “AA meeting”), and pea-brained seagulls who think everything belongs to them, it all adds up to a moving and thoroughly entertaining experience.
Finding Nemo is more than just the usual Pixar eye candy-it’s that rare summer family movie that adults and children alike can enjoy.
