"Finding Dory" is heartfelt, emotional, nostalgic of "Finding Nemo," and magical, as all Disney Pixar movies are. Oh, and educational too.
13 years after the original "Finding Nemo," fans of all ages swam to the theaters to see the highly anticipated "Finding Dory," in which we learn all about Dory's childhood with short term memory loss.
At one point in the movie, there’s a flashback in which baby Dory overhears her mom crying to Charlie (Dory’s dad), expressing her fears about Dory’s future, wondering if she’ll ever be able to be a functioning adult with her short term memory loss.
Now, I'm not a parent, but I am a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter, and a great- granddaughter. Every parent has this fear that their kids won't be accepted for some reason or another. I know first hand how deep that fear can run within a parent with a child who has a disability or disorder, physical or not.
I was always labeled as different, ever since I could remember. I was the kid who sat around reading at recess, who had trouble sitting still in class, and who would doodle and daydream. I was the kid who was gifted, yet also technically learning disabled. I was officially diagnosed with ADHD in second grade. I relate to Dory in some ways, and I can guarantee that my parents, as well as the parents of every child with a disability or disorder can as well. The fear that your child will be laughed at, left out, teased, or hurt, simply because they are different. "Finding Dory" teaches kids so many magical lessons, that Pixar is known for including, as well as some others that were subtly added. On that note, here are 10 reasons why everyone should go see "Finding Dory"immediately.
1. It’s a Pixar movie.
- AKA, it can honestly do no wrong. (Besides maybe "Cars 2," but even that was a hit with little kids, right?). Pixar has this uncanny ability to make even the littlest thing seem magical.
- Critics are calling "Finding Dory" the best sequel since "Toy Story 3."
- The Disney Pixar magic and comedy is back!
2. The end of the movie.
- Now, I’m not going to spoil anything, but I HIGHLY recommend you stay until the very, very end of the credits. You can thank me later.
3. Everyone has parents and a family.
- Whether your family consists of only blood relatives or not, everyone has one.
- The people who help you when you’re lost – those are the ones who are your family.
4. It will make you want to hug your parents or children and tell them you love them.
- Everyone will be able to see where Dory’s parents are coming from when they worry about Dory’s future in school and as an adult on her own.
- “What if I forget you?” – Dory says to her parents
- It proves that family will never give up on you.
5. It's Educational
- Octopuses can camouflage to their surroundings, which I didn’t know before.
- Octopuses also have three hearts
- I also learned how to actually speak whale (we only got snippets in "Finding Nemo," but it goes a tiny bit more in depth here.)
- I learned more about echolocation (shoutout to my marine science teacher from 11th grade who taught me this stuff so I felt smart when I watched it!)
- I learned that sea otters are really freaking cute.
- The entire movie revolves around “Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release” which is a big topic in today’s world, especially with more fish and animal species being kept in captivity.
6. Pixar subtly includes the dangers of pollution.
- At one point, Marlin, Nemo, and Dory are swimming and Dory gets caught in a plastic 6 – pack soda thingy and continues to swim around with it.
7. The trademark short shown before Pixar movies is ah-freaking-dorable.
- I literally found myself ‘aww’ing out loud a couple times.
8. It teaches kids that words can hurt and to think before you speak.
- “Just wait over there and forget. That’s what you do best.”
(I know this is from Finding Nemo but still works)
- “Just wait over there and forget. That’s what you do best.”
9. And then teaches kids that thinking outside the box and being different is actually a good thing.
- “Do you know how we found you? We were having a really hard time until Nemo said, ‘What would Dory do?’”
- “Do you know how we found you? We were having a really hard time until Nemo said, ‘What would Dory do?’”
10. Ellen DeGeneres (and the entire cast)
- Ellen is amazing and hilarious, and embodies what it means to be a lovable fish named Dory.
- The cast is amazing, consisting of Bill Hader, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, Idris Elba, Sigourney Weaver, and many others.
The entire movie is about family, friends, coming home, and the things that make you who you are. It’s about embracing the things that make you different and not letting roadblocks set you back and get in your way. Or in Finding Dory terms, don’t let the undertow suck you in. Throughout the movie, there are quotes and moments that stick with you. (“Migration is about going home.”)
As a die-hard Disney Pixar fan, I give "Finding Dory" two fins up. If you haven’t already, swim through the current to your nearet theater and watch this movie immediately. And remember – Just keep swimming!
