Visually stunning and hugely enjoyable

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2003)

Over-protective clownfish Marlin (Albert Brooks) witnesses his only surviving offspring Nemo being captured by a deep-sea diver soon after a moment of rebelliousness from the youngster. Frantic, Marlin endeavours to find his son with the help of an amnesiac fish, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). On his quest, he also meets sharks which have formed a Fish-Eaters Anonymous group, and a group of surfer turtles' that speak like Bill and Ted.
Meanwhile, Nemo has been released into a fish tank in a dentist's waiting room in Sydney. There, he meets a group of fellow prisoners led by angelfish Gill (Willem Dafoe) who has devised a cunning plot for them all to escape. The challenge that Pixar faces here is to make fish as cute and as loveable as the furry leads of previous animated successes. Anthropomorphism goes far enough to over ride the fact that in the wild, fish lay eggs and then neglect their offspring and to allow Dory to read the handwritten name and address on Nemo's abductor's neglected goggles.
Having enjoyed both Toy Story' and Monsters Inc', I found Finding Nemo' just as good. The success of Pixar features is down to the studio's story-telling skills and their ability to entertain the whole family: familiar quotes such as Hop inside my mouth if you want to live' will be appreciated by adults but lost on kids. However, there is still plenty to entrance the youngsters as well although I do feel that the film is overlong for very young children.
Brilliant characterisation and glorious animation makes Finding Nemo' stunning and charming to watch. This is a visual treat not to be missed. Also, the fun continues to the end of the credits so don't be too eager to leave your seat!