Finding Dory

I believe the best thing about reviewing a Pixar Animation Studios film is that my expectations are always high for a good reason: their films perennially rock! As with "Finding Dory", it is as creative and entertaining as its predecessor, "Finding Nemo" '03. For that matter it is as well done as all the Pixar films with, again, good reason. What other studio knows how to use the perfect combination of artists and tech geeks as well as Pixar?

Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from short-term memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember is that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo (Hayden Rolence) and Marlin (Albert Brooks), Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. Her journey brings her to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean species. Through new friends, Hank (Ed O'Neill), Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) and Bailey (Ty Burrell), Dory now knows that her family reunion will only happen if she can save mom, Jenny (Diane Keaton) and dad, Charlie (Eugene Levy) from captivity.

Others to round out the cast are Sloane Murray as Young Dory, Idris Elba as Fluke, Dominic West as Rudder, Bob Peterson as Mr. Ray, Kate McKinnon as Wife Fish, Bill Hader as Husband Fish, Andrew Stanton as Crush and John Ratzenberger as Husband Crab (Bill).

This was creatively and whimsically directed by Andrew Stanton ("A Bug's Life" (co-dir.) '98, "Finding Nemo" '03, "WALL-E" '08, "John Cater" '12) plus shorts and co-directed by Angus MacLane (shorts). Truly Stanton's comfort zone is in animated films, but since he is so creative with them, I am considerably more forgiving than I might be with other filmmakers that weren't as consummate. Looking at his animated films, one feels as though they are observing humans interact as opposed to animals, fish or bird life. This is true talent. This was brilliantly written by Stanton and Victoria Strouse plus additional writing from Bob Peterson based on a story by Stanton. Stanton is the 'meat' of this production as he is the perennial standard in the Pixar chorale. As I've said before and I'll say it again, how do these guys at Pixar do it? They produce one film after another that is pure genius, and if they had only but a handful of films to their credit, I could more understand it, since their work would come across fresher. But even with the vast resume Pixar holds, their work is as fresh as when they produced "Toy Story" back is the mid 90's. The animation is incredible, the production is entertaining all the while giving you an amazing message that will stay with you well after the end credits roll.

Anyone that can take or leave a Pixar film clearly cannot be pleased. Their work is creative, smart, fresh no matter how many films they execute. So while watching the trailer of this gem before hitting the multiplex, one must conclude that not only must they see this film, but realize that it will be a hoot as well--and all in a nifty 3D format.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                    Rated: PG                   103mins + 6mins- "Piper"