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After Pixar first introduced the world to computer animation with 1995’s Toy Story, they became a force to be reckoned with. Each film that the studio released was bigger and bolder, crisper and clearer than the last. But as 2003 approached, critics started to wonder whether their next movie—a movie about a fish and his dad—might be the studio’s first flop. Instead, Finding Nemo turned out to be a memorable adventure that only gets better with age.
Ever since he lost his wife and children to a predator, Marlin the clown fish (voiced by Albert Brooks) has devoted his life to protecting his remaining son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), from every possible danger. Tired of being constantly under his father’s watchful—and fearful—eye, though, Nemo ventures out on his own, only to be captured by a diver and taken to an aquarium in a dentist’s office in Sydney.
While Nemo and his new tank-mates try to plan their escape, Marlin sets to rescue his son with some help from Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a quirky blue fish with short-term memory loss.
Finding Nemo is the kind of lovable, heartfelt film that viewers of any age can enjoy. Whatever your perspective, you’ll find something to love about it.
For young kids, it’s just a fun underwater adventure filled with quirky characters. They’ll giggle at the silly things that Dory says, and they’ll love the different personalities—from Crush (voiced by director Andrew Stanton) and his band of surfer-dude sea turtles to the wacky gang of fish found in the dentist office aquarium. They’ll be thrilled by the adventure of it all, too, and you’ll often find them reciting memorable lines from the movie.
For teens and young adults, meanwhile, it’s a very different movie. It’s a story about growing up and becoming independent—about breaking away from your parents and venturing out on your own. Though it’s Nemo’s stubborn need for independence that gets him this mess in the first place, he does eventually find the right balance. He loves his dad, but he also learns to trust himself and be his own, er, fish.
And, finally, for parents, it’s another movie entirely. Anyone who has a child of his or her own can relate to Marlin and his anxieties. You don’t need to have faced a tragedy like the one in the movie to feel an overwhelming need to keep your child safe. It’s only natural to want to protect your kids from any possible danger—even if that sometimes means going to extremes. So, for us loving (and maybe just slightly smothering) parents, Finding Nemo is also a story about letting go—and letting your child grow up.
No matter what your age—or your stage in life—there’s plenty to love about this underwater drama. The characters are unforgettable, the humor is often clever, the animation is breathtaking (and, at the time, groundbreaking), and the story may even teach you an important lesson or two. So if it’s been a while since you last joined Nemo and his dad on this wet and wild journey, it may be time to give this charming animated classic another look.
Blu-ray 3D Review:
If you missed Finding Nemo during its recent 3D re-release, don’t miss the chance to pick up a copy on Blu-ray 3D. This underwater adventure is every bit as gorgeous as it was when it was released in 2003—and the added dimension makes it even more striking.
The 3D release comes with just one 3D extra: a collection of 3D aquariums. Though they are pretty to look at, though, they’re just settings from the movie—most of which don’t even include any fish. So there isn’t really enough action to make them worth watching for long periods of time.
Of course, that’s not the only feature in this massive five-disc set. The collection also includes two 2D Blu-ray discs, which come loaded with extras. Special features on these two discs include the pre-Toy Story theatrical short, Knick Knack, along with outtakes and deleted scenes, a studio tour, and an alternate opening. Kids can learn about the real-life sea creatures found in the movie by checking out Mr. Ray’s Encyclopedia, an interactive feature that offers facts and video of each species. Or, for more about life on the reef, watch Exploring the Reef, in which Jean-Michel Cousteau attempts to teach viewers about the reef—with plenty of help from Dory, Marlin, and Nemo.
The discs also include loads of making-of features—the best of which is A Filmmakers’ Roundtable. If you want to see inside Pixar, check out the lengthier Making Nemo—but the roundtable provides everything from concept art and more technical discussions to quirky anecdotes.
As is usually the case with Disney releases, the Blu-ray release of Finding Nemo comes complete with all kinds of interesting extras. There isn’t really a dud in the bunch—but I recommend starting with A Filmmakers’ Roundtable and Exploring the Reef.
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