Finding Nemo (2003)

• Review: *** ½ (out of ****)
• Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Joe Ranft, Geoffrey Rush, Andrew Stanton, Elizabeth Perkins, Nicholas Bird, Barry Humphries, Eric Bana, Bruce Spence, Bill Hunter, Jordy Ranft, Erica Beck, Erik Per Sullivan, John Ratzenberger
• Director: Andrew Stanton
• Screenplay: Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds
• Length: 100 min.
• MPAA Rating: G

There are millions of fishin the ocean and none of them speak English. However, Pixar animationhas brought to the screen a new animated classic featuring some ofAmerica's most talented vocal artists called Finding Nemo about afather who learns to take a chance and a son who learns to accept hisfather for who he is.

Albert Brooks leads an allstar cast of voice-overs as Marlin, a clown fish whose peacefulexistence with his mate ends in disaster as he is left alone with asingle egg from his entire brood. That egg becomes Nemo (AlexanderGould), Marlin's reason for living and his last tether to hisever-present past. On his first day at school, the friendly manta rayteacher takes the kids to the "Drop Off" better known as the continental shelf. Horrified by the thought, Marlin races off toprotect his little Nemo. Nemo, thinking his father is afraid of doingdaring things, swims out to a boat in defiance of his father'simpassioned pleadings to the contrary. A pet shop tropical fishcollector captures Nemo and takes him off on an adventure into theworld of mankind.

Distraught, Marlinimmediately swims off to try to follow his son and hopefully rescuehim. Sadly, his small body simply can't keep up with the motor-poweredboat. Along the way, he meets a short-term memory-stricken fish namedDory (Ellen DeGeneres) who agrees to help him rescue his son, but oftenforgets their task as they travel on and encounters schools ofmimicking fish, vegetarian sharks and embark on other grand adventures.Meanwhile, Nemo is introduced into a fish tank where he meets thefilm's other vocal talents. His aquarium friends include Gill (WillemDafoe), a depressed fish who consistently tries to escape the tank buthas yet to succeed; Bloat (Brad Garrett), a puffer fish who blows up when he gets nervous; Peach (Allison Janney), a starfish whospends most of her time glued to the side of the tank, telling everyonewhat she sees in the outside world; Deb (Vicki Lewis) who always talksto her sister Flo, which is nothing more than her reflection; andseveral other interesting characters.

Finding Nemo is abeautiful tale about the love of a father for his son forcing him togrip too tightly to the apron strings, suffocating his child andforcing a rebellion. It's also the story of a son whose lack of faithin his own father's bravery fails to believe that his father would evencome looking for him when he's lost. The movie examines the delicaterelationship between new found friends on a common mission and the bondthat can develop when they come together.

The voice work in thisfilm is fantastic. DeGeneres is mind-blowing in her brilliantly manicway. She defines forgetfulness while creating a character that isextremely memorable. Likewise, Lewis and Janney are simplyirresistible. They use the hilarious script effectively creating a bevyof personalities that leap from the screen. The screenplay by directorAndrew Stanton along with Bob Peterson and David Reynolds is fantastic.It tells a meaningful story that allows the viewer to feel the emotionsalongside its characters as well as give the audience a chance to laughwith everyone else at the ludicrous situations that make lifeunderwater an unusual experience.

Finding Nemo will pleaseaudiences of all ages with its raucous spirit and outrageous momentsall while portraying the frailties of a relationship so fresh andmeaningful. Don't forget to stay through the credits or you'll misssome great interactions between the film's fishy denizens and thescrolling credits.

-Wesley Lovell (August 12, 2003)