Solid if expected

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2019)

This review contains spoilers.
Finding Dory is a computer animated movie that premiered in 2016. The movie is directed by Andrew Stanton. The story is written by Andrew Stanton with the screenplay by both Andrew Stanton and Victoria Strouse. The movie stars Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, and Hayden Rolence. The movie is a follow-up/spin off of Finding Nemo. Dory, the forgetful regal blue tang, searches for her parents.
It has been thirteen years since the first installment in this franchise. Finding Dory has been a long awaited sequel with many of the younger fans of the first movie having grown up. This movie needed to appeal to kids and the older audience. Does this movie appeal to both audiences? I would say that it does. The movie is similar to the first movie by having its themes be something that all audiences can relate to. The movie has great thrills for all audiences. However, this does not match the original's feel.
Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks reprise their roles of Dory and Marvin respectively. The two voice actors continue doing a good job in this movie. The movie uses the characters to their best but the originality and freshness from the first movie is lost in Finding Dory. This does not make Finding Dory an awful movie. It simply makes Finding Dory a movie that is more predictable and expected. There are not many massive twists or introductions.
The entire sequence in the aquarium is awesome. This sequence has Dory with an octopus trying to escape. The computer animation and dialogue across this sequence is great to watch. It also brought back the idea of children that do not understand their actions might kill fish. The entire sequence is fun to watch but it felt like it took the themes from Finding Nemo rather than creating something new.
Like the first movie, the sequel sets a high standard for animation and effects. There is much to appreciate in this movie from a technical standpoint. All of the characters are well animated and the scenes themselves are well directed. It made for an experience that is worthy of the Pixar Animation name.
I would recommend 'Finding Dory.' This is a solid family friendly movie.
Grade: B