Enjoyable

Rating: 8/10 (5 January 2004)

Pixar recaptures the charm of its earlier films after the disappointing `Monsters, Inc.' All the inevitable trademarks are there--busy visuals, talky screenplay, Ratzenberger cameo--but we find that no matter how much we expect it to, this new breed of family film simply refuses to wear out its welcome. Of course the look of the film is stunning, and the attention to ichthyological detail is admirable, too. But what keeps the viewer hooked (um, as it were) is not any of these elements (nor the overstated if-you-love-somebody-let-them-go theme), but rather the visual and verbal wit (including several great cinema in-jokes), as well as a frankly crazy approach, and a welcome willingness to be scary. I was reminded more than once of Jim Henson's Muppets in their heyday. Quite enjoyable. 8 out of 10.