Comment by Andrew Olson “I’m confused. Wait, maybe I’m not…”

# January 2, 2007,

Pixar Studios have done it again. I have to say that these guys are totally good in computer animation, as well as in storytelling. Rarely do those qualities come together but here they are, delivering unto the audience once again something that one can only be drowned with wonder. Such is the marvel of Finding Nemo.

The story is about Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould), a young clownfish who is fed up with his dad Marlin’s (Albert Brooks) excessive paranoia over him. He swims to a place where his dad forbids him and ends up being captured by a scuba diver. He is then placed in a fish tank in a dental clinic somewhere along the harbors of Sydney. Thus the quest of Marlin, along with Dory (a hilarious forgetful blue tang voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) to find Nemo before it’s too late.

The story is a simple one but where the film more than makes up is on the overwhelming sense of detail and rich, lavish colors and textures as if we aren’t really watching an animated film at all. Scenes such as Marlin bringing Nemo to school while swimming through corals and anemones, to the aquarium where Nemo was taken to, are nothing short of breathtaking, and undoubtedbly one of the most outstanding animation ever to hit the screen.

The world of “Finding Nemo” is simply alive with lovable creatures swimming about their daily lives under the ocean, darting across the screen in playful manners. The viewer almost literally dives into another world for nearly two hours and one cannot help but be completely captivated.

The music and screenplay also blend very well with the visual feast that it produces such a high quality movie. From its basic storyline, to the father-and-son relationship theme, to the wonderful underwater world throughout, this is really an adventure through an ocean of stunning visuals and storytelling

Comment by Kid’s Movie Review

# January 2, 2007,

If you like fish this the movie for you!
In my opinion I think that “Finding Nemo” is a great movie for all families, because it teaches you how to keep a look on your children,until they’re old enough. It’s also a good movie to teach your children how to not go wonder of!”Finding Nemo” is one of the sadest movies I have ever seen!
What do about my opinion? Do you think the movie is a good movie?Why or why not?

Comment by Jonathan Cohen

# January 2, 2007,

“Finding Nemo”, the fifth in the Pixar line and its first Oscar winner for Best Animated Film, is easily their best-looking movie. The underwater milieu and detail, both for the dozens of fish characters and settings (the anemones look very inviting and comfortable), is beautifully done- you really feel that the ocean’s come to life. Kudos to Andrew Stanton, the primary director/writer (and a native of salty Cape Ann, MA), who must have some salt water in his blood.
This is one of the few animated or family movies where the main character’s a dad. He’s Marlin (voiced, in a pleasantly neurotic way, by the oft-brilliant Albert Brooks), an orange clown fish who’s ready to follow Nemo- his little son, born without a mother (who was eaten by sharks)- to the ends of the ocean after he swims away from his school and gets netted up by a diver who turns out to be…an Australian dentist! Soon, Marlin is joined by Dory (voiced, brilliantly, by the very likable Ellen DeGeneres- and even sporting bright, Ellen-esque eyes), a pretty blue tang fish who loves to talk but has memory problems. Together, they follow the reef, with adventures involving rowdy Aussie-accented sharks, surfing sea turtles, and even a whale. Eventually, they reach the familiar, breathtaking skyline of Sydney Harbour (remember the 2000 Olympics?), where Nemo’s in the dentist’s fish tank. Whether you’re 5 or 95, you’ll love swimming along with them.
Pixar will always have my respect for never repeating itself, and “Finding Nemo” has its own look and feel. Supporting characters, many of whom have Australian accents and are voiced by dinkum Aussie stars (Barry Humphries as Bruce the shark, Geoffrey Rush as Nigel the swooping pelican), are not only distinctive but realistic. The dialogue between Marlin (Brooks) and Dory (Ellen D.) could pass for a legit romantic comedy; it’s the best interplay by any two Pixar characters. Add a moody,
“underwater” score by Thomas (Randy’s cousin) Newman and it even sounds aquatic.
As with all Pixar packages, the 2-DVD set has some notable features, including both widescreen (always my preference) and fullscreen views. More than, say, “The Incredibles”, the extras seem geared to kids; young Alexander Gould (Nemo’s voice) visits the Pixar studio departments on a scooter and Mr. Ray (leader of Nemo’s school) narrates a sea-creature encyclopedia. My favorite extra is a Jean-Michel Cousteau look at real reef life; he’s constantly interrupted by Marlin and Dory, “swimming” into the underwater shots. It has, to me, a fun outtake feel; kids will just want to see the characters. (Cousteau’s treated with more respect by Steve Hillenberg on the “SpongeBob Movie” DVD.)
“Finding Nemo” isn’t my favorite Pixar movie, but they don’t know how to make a bad one. It’s so pretty and relaxing to watch, you might not even notice that it’s funny too- for kids of all ages. Take the plunge!