Back to the pond for Pixar, where we find things largely unchanged from the end of 2003's Finding Nemo. As the continually-forgetful blue tang Dory has a sudden enduring flash of her childhood, a rush of unfamiliar recall, she gathers the clownfish for one more globe-spanning adventure.
The setup is a little soft, lingering too long in the shadow of the first film, but eventually we break free of that sentiment and forge a new (if similar) identity for the sequel. The closed-in landscape of an aquatic themed zoo/amusement park feels a bit claustrophobic at first glance, but as hijinx ensue and we learn more of Dory's early years, it all fleshes out nicely. No shortage of colorful new characters there, literally and figuratively, not the least of which is Ed O'Neill's escape artist "septipus" (having lost a tentacle in the touch tank), who treads dangerously close to becoming a deus ex machina with his versatility. O'Neill brings his usual disgruntled pessimism to the role, though, and some genuinely clever sight gags using the creature's natural assets go a long way to smoothing that over. He's overly convenient, but we're always glad to see him again.
Witty and fast-paced, with a good mix of gags for the adults and their kids, plus a potent dose of the studio's famed poignancy. I laughed, I misted up, but I never quite fooled myself into thinking it was superior to the first.
While the first film was never my favourite of the Pixar collection growing up, I do have fond memories of watching it countless times. Which is why I was apprehensive when Disney announced a sequel after all this time. However overall I was impressed with the film. It does that old tried and tested Pixar trick of making a film that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
Is this film as good as the first? No not by a long shot. Though that’s partly nostalgia. I do enjoy most of the new characters (excluding the echolocation dolphin), and the callbacks to previous side characters like Crush were a nice touch.
This is going to sound a pretty stupid statement to make a hour an animated kids film about talking fish, but my main problem was believe ability. Hear me out though. The fish never did anything too wild in the first film, mostly swimming around the ocean, or at most getting around in water bags and pipes. This time we have scenes involving Hank the octopus blazingly roaming around the marine park in a stoker stroller, just while the punters wander around seemingly oblivious, even after it strikes are random toddler. And then don’t even get me started on the final scene of them hijacking the truck and getting into a police chase.
Again I know that sounds a silly statement to make about a kids film with talking fish. So make of that what you will. But overall it’s a good film. If you enjoyed the first, then you will definitely also enjoy this.
2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020-12-31T23:59:59Z