A Fish Story Well Worth The Dip

Rating: 9/10 (8 July 2003)

I was more or less turned off by Toy Story and Antz. Shrek didn't do much for me, so ever since I've been avoiding most computerized animated cartoon feature motion pictures. But I'm happy to report that Finding Nemo is absolutely brilliant! Awesome colors, breathtaking underwater seascapes and oceanographic detail, plus plain damned funny and entertaining characterizations, dialogue and story! Actually dare I use the word genius? I'm 47 years old, hold several degrees, including one in marine biology, and I can honestly say that the folks at Pixel and Disney certainly did their zoological homework on this one. Easily the best animated feature I have seen in decades. I've also surf, have been to Sydney and have many Australian friends, so this made the surf-talking `dude' sea turtles and Australian inside-jokes even that much more funny. But at least for me it was those blasted seagulls that won the laugh award for me. I couldn't help busting up completely in the theatre every time they made an appearance, `mate'! A 9 out of 10 in my books, and I forgot to mention, I'm a film buff as well. Anyone of any age who still has half a heart left in their body owes it to themselves to go see `Finding Nemo'.