Entertaining

Rating: 7/10 (12 May 2018)

The animated sequel to "Finding Nemo" (2003) reverses the plight of the main characters: this time it is the memory-challenged bluefish Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) rather than clownfish Nemo (Hayden Romence) who gets lost during a search to find her long-lost parents. Nemo and his father Marlin (Albert Brooks) try to find and rescue Dory with the aid of many other new characters. As this is an animated film, there are many antics, perils and troubleshooting that ensue.
Like its prequel, this film has beautiful animation especially in the beginning as the camera follows the sea creature characters through long and fast journeys. The main characters and the array of new ones are quite funny and entertaining. The delightful DeGeneres is quite enjoyable throughout especially her high-energy flow of humour at the start. At times, she reminds one of the benchmark for animated performances: Robin Williams in "Aladdin" (1992).
There are times "Finding Dory" is less than what it could be especially a pivotal scene in the second half. This scene began with the right emotional impact but then became too casual too soon. But by the end, the movie does what a Pixar/Disney cartoon is supposed to do: entertain. When the climactic scene is met with Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World", we know we are entering goosebump movie heaven. What a wonderful world, indeed.