It's Fine, but too Similar to the First

Rating: 5/10 (2 September 2018)

It really isn't a bad movie, but it's much too close to the original without actually improving on anything from the first. The beautiful atmospheric presence of Finding Nemo was a big part of the movie. Those still shots that had close focus on Marlin and Dory in the first were a big part of what really drew many people in. It was stunning to look at and it offered a sense of calm while keeping the viewer engaged. It was also better paced and made the movie more about the journey with an overarching goal.
Finding Dory somehow lacks that charm, in part because that whole part of atmospheric presence was skipped in favor of getting to the busier location in the California rehabilitation center within the first 30 or so minutes. It felt rushed when compared to the more relaxed feel of the first movie, even though there was a greater sense of urgency to reach the goal in the first movie. This one somehow lacked that same feel, probably because the circumstances for Dory when compared to Nemo are vastly different. Even Crush's scene in this movie was rushed to simply offer a convenient time skip to the next part of where most of the movie would take place, rather than using it as character development like in the first. It didn't offer the same build up to the ultimate goal. The characters were also somehow less engaging and memorable.
Dory's friends from the Rehabilitation Center are likable, but not very memorable. They were more devicive to explain Dory's excentricities and less endearing than they could have been. Dory's parents are nice. They're well developed and likable. They are the better characters of this movie. Still, it's not enough to save the movie from mediocrity.
Unfortunately, I have to liken this movie to that of Cars 2(and to clarify, I don't hate Cars 2), and Dory is like Mater. A great character in her own right(just how Mater is a great character in his own right), but not so great as a lead. There's something interesting there, just like there was in Cars 2, but it wasn't executed well enough to be interesting or likable. This movie really only fails in terms of execution of the story and, somehow, the presence. Even though they had newer equipment for this movie, with presumably better graphics and software, Finding Nemo looked more polished. It looked more complete. You could feel the dedication to the first movie and the desire to make it right. Finding Dory looked rushed and felt rushed by comparison. The concept was there. It just wasn't developed well enough to tell a great story.