Finding Dory

You know how people say that Pixar animated movies can make adults cry? Well, "Finding Dory" shares that same ability. The whole premise of this movie is already pretty tragic as it is, as it's about a young girl (fish) that has a mental disability, that gets lost, and is separated from her parents. Years later, she goes to look for her missing family. If you were ever lost when you were a child, or you are a parent whose child wandered off and got lost, this movie just might affect you emotionally. 

As good as this story can be, it is admittedly similar to the previous entry; "Finding Nemo." Although it has those touching and poignant flashbacks that shows a young Dory and her parents, the plot is pretty much mostly just a silly and wacky adventure, that has tons of sight-gags and some broad comedy. There are scenes that you might have to hold back tears to, scenes that are enjoyably fun to see play out, to scenes that are absolutely ludicrous and pushes your suspension of disbelief. 

If there is one element that bugs me about this film, is that for a movie that celebrates being understanding, patient, and accepting of people who are "different" (like a mental or physical disability), this movie itself makes fun of them in a rather insensitive way. I'm talking about a certain Sea Lion character, or a certain Loon character. If there are other things to complain about, the story itself relies too much on several plot conveniences and familiar story tropes. The whole movie just felt a bit all over the place with it's story telling and tone, that it kept it from being the great film that it could have been. 

Despite my issues with "Finding Dory," the true strength of this movie really is the character of Dory and the emotional core of her backstory with her parents. Everything else is either a nice distraction or just a distraction, from the undeniable enjoyment of watching this animated movie. 

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