Found a true gem

Rating: 9/10 (11 July 2016)

We return to the Great Barrier Reef, thirteen years after Pixar's marine adventure with Nemo and friends with the story's focus now shifting to that forgetful blue tang, Dory. Co-directed and co- written by Andrew Stanton ('A Bug's life', 'Finding Nemo', 'Wall-E') and Angus MacLane, both accomplished Pixar films' creative geniuses, Dory's story is more a complementary one rather than a sequel. It's richer, funnier, wackier and lightly emotional with our investment in its animated characters that are nimbly voiced by capable actors. Like every Pixar film, Finding Dory too has its lessons for life for children and adults alike and this is especially, an unforgettable one.
An adoryble young Dory is nurtured and protected by her loving parents who train her to cope with her 'short term memory loss' issue but there was always that lingering fear that she would forget it all and wander away from them unknowingly. The inevitable thus happened and now, a year after Nemo was found, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) wanders away as usual but this time, farther away from Marlin and Nemo until she revives a distant memory of her parents. She relates that to her home being in the Jewel of Morro Bay which of course, was on the other side of the great ocean. Riding on the turtles, they embark on the California current in search of Dory's parents as they encounter various creatures including Hank (Ed O'Neill) the Septopus, who serves as Dory's guide and savior at the Marine Life Institute even though with a vested interest, Destiny the whale shark who was Dory's pipe-mate, Bailey the Beluga whale that has some mutant-like sonar senses, the outrageously funny sea lions and their eccentric bird friend who is just.. well, odd.
Hank is truly the hero here with extensible tentacles that can ride strollers, pick up and transfer items including Dory, out of one peril to the next. There is even an incredible talent he possesses that shapes the climax in the most exciting, incredulous manner that only Pixar can pull off. Marlin and Nemo get separated early on from Dory and have their own entertaining adventures in their search for her. Their encounter with the hilarious sea lions and the awkward seabird is the funniest scene of the year. On the other hand, Dory's journey to find her home engages many of her friends and acquaintances with progress being made along the razor's edge for the most part. Dory's search for her parents and the clownfish duo's search for her happen at a frantic pace that rarely spares a breather while we are completely amazed by the beauty of the world that they swim, hop or fly in.
There isn't a villain in 'Finding Dory'. Just like most Pixar films, there are challenges upon challenges in a journey that teach many of us some simple lessons while creating those everlasting memories with impressionable characters against a richer canvas. Directors Stanton and MacLane have thus tackled the short term memory loss problem with a lovable little Dory and depicted it as a frustrating element as she grows up and embarks upon her quest for home-coming. As she suffers from low self esteem due to her memory, she never loses the will to just keep swimming and that, is a brilliantly crafted transition that hits all the emotional cords. Besides, the way the multitude of creatures offer help is also showcasing the goodness that adds to the film's charm for both children and adults alike. Those elements are impeccably enhanced by the mesmerizing animation of the imaginative world underwater. From the various types of fish and sea creatures to the coral reefs, plants and Dory's big round eyes.
Pixar just keeps breaking new ground in animation and with Dory, they've taken us through a memorable journey of a forgetful fish and her friends in a timeless tale that has life's essential learnings, charming characters that are voiced by a brilliant cast and in the end, the incredible entertainment that has brought several 'awwww' reactions, laughs, hysteria and relief after a daring escape from a peril. 'Finding Dory' will go down as one of the best Pixar films and animated entertainers but one must also applaud the brief opening clip that showcased some striking animation that was completely real-looking. 'Piper' is not to be missed.
9.211 on a scale of 1-10.