(Warning: loads of spoilers ahead.)
Sure, kids love "Finding Dory" because of its cute characters, fun music, and bright ocean colors, but our generation loves the new "Nemo" sequel for more substantial reasons (OK, we like all that other stuff, too). We were just kids ourselves when "Finding Nemo" hit the big screen, and many of us have watched it over and over on VHS until our parents nearly lost their minds. We grew up singing "Just Keep Swimming" and hung posters of the Tank Gang in our rooms. We waited over a decade to find out how our ocean pals were doing, and we weren't disappointed with what we saw. Like a time machine, those theater chairs transported us back to our younger years, when Darla was the scariest monster we could imagine. I left the movie theater with a goofy grin and perhaps a few tear soaked Kleenex in my pocket. Here are 16 reasons why "Finding Dory" was totally worth the wait for us older kids.
1. Baby Dory is easily one of the cutest animated critters of all time.
Look at those eyes. And her voice! If you thought Nemo was the cutest fish in the sea, Baby Dory will change your mind (sorry li'l guy). The cute factor makes the saddest scenes even sadder. When those big, fishy eyes tear up, so will yours.
2. Hank and Dory's friendship
"The best things happen by chance."
The anti-social septopus with a soft-spot for our favorite blue tang. This escape artist guides Dory to her parents' last known location in exchange for her transfer tag to Cleveland. Along the way, we learn that Hank isn't as selfish as he seems, and that he really hates to be touched. This unlikely friendship highlights the importance of extending kindness and friendship even to those who tend to isolate themselves.
3. You'll never see touch pools at the aquarium in the same way.
Yep -- we're traumatized.
4. Hank's embarrassing ink situation.
Don't worry, Hank. It happens to the best of us.
5. Sigourney Weaver is essentially the aquarium Queen (and also the voice-over Queen).
Sigourney lends her voice to the film as herself, serving as the voice for the Marine Life Institute in California. Weaver has lent her voice to the "Planet Earth" series, and is an active conservationist -- in addition to being an outstanding actress.
6. Meeting Becky.
"Look her in the eye and say 'ooroo' and she'll be in sync with you."
"Which eye?"
She might not look like much, but this ragamuffin bird is kind of a hero. I also sort of wish I had a Becky to take me to class every morning.
7. Dory's old pal Destiny.
Every near-sighted person in the theater rejoiced when they met their new spirit animal: Destiny.
8. Ragging on Cleveland.
"I can't go to the Cleveland."
Even fish know that Ohio ain't the place to be. Although with the Cavaliers' newfound glory, maybe it wouldn't be so bad there after all. For Ohioans (like myself), this shout-out was much appreciated. Since our state only gets media attention for our sports and bad weather, we always get excited when it's mentioned in a movie, especially such a big one like "Finding Dory."
9. Revisiting our sea turtle pals.
Crush and Squirt are back and as chill as ever, taking Nemo and Marlin on a highspeed trip to California to find Dory.
Noggin, dude.
10. Mr. Ray, our favorite science teacher, returning for more learning.
If you're like me, you spent your childhood wishing that you could have a science teacher as cool as Mr. Ray. Bob Peterson, the voice of Mr. Ray, also voiced Roz in "Monsters Inc.," and Alpha and Dug from "Up." Peterson is also an alum of Ohio Northern, where I go to school, so Mr. Ray is especially close to my heart.
11. Gerald and his territorial friends.
You were really happy for him when he finally got to lay on the rock.
12. Nemo proving himself to his father -- again.
"I trust Becky."
"You trust Becky? Becky is eating a cup!"
OK, Nemo did get fish-napped in the open ocean launching a dangerous rescue mission, but Marlin can cut the kid some slack already. Nemo proves that he's one smart clownfish by thinking like his best friend Dory in sticky situations. Nemo's best choice? Trusting Becky.
13. But Marlin might just remind us of our own over-protective parents -- and how we might miss them a whole lot while we're out there adulting.
As children, nothing was more obnoxious than overbearing parents. No child wants their parents hanging around, making them look lame in front of the other kids. Today, most of us wish our parents could be around a lot more, especially during those tough work days when you wish it was 2003 again.
14. Dory reminds us what it's like to live with a mind that's always at odds with itself.
Throughout this movie and the previous one, Dory fights against her own mind to remember, well, anything. For anyone who has struggled with a mental disorder, Dory's personal battles really resonate. As children, Dory's short-term memory loss seemed harmless and funny, but as adults we view her condition as a serious challenge. As someone who struggles with anxiety, Dory's mental conflicts really hit home with me.
15. Following the seashells home.
There wasn't a dry eye in the theater when Dory followed the lines of seashells to finally find her parents. (Casually lines the sidewalks to my apartment with shells.)
16. Our new mantra is, "What Would Dory Do?"
"Just Keep Swimming" was the mantra that kept me going even when the world seemed to be crashing at my feet. In addition to our old mantra, we can now ask ourselves, "What would Dory do?" According to Nemo, this means "Don't think, just do."
(Use this with caution if you're still in college. Sometimes, it can backfire.)
