I was browsing hoopla and stumbled upon the junior novelization of the upcoming Disney Pixar movie “Finding Dory”, a sequel to the 2003 film “Finding Nemo”. Now, I might be a decade or so past reading a “junior novelization”, but I am so excited for this movie that I couldn’t help it! I’m a big Disney/Pixar fan and love “Finding Nemo”, so I’ve been waiting for this sequel for a long time. If the movie is as good as the novelization was, it’ll surely be another Disney classic in no time!
The story follows the beloved and forgetful blue tang Dory as she journeys to find something she thought she forgot – her family. Along with Dory, the story brings back the original sea critters that made “Finding Nemo” so great – Marlin, the anxious clownfish; Nemo, Marlin’s son who sees the good and potential in others; and an appearance by Crush and Squirt, surfer turtles who help the fish find their way. A whole new crew is introduced too – including Hank, an octopus (or septopus, as Dory points out) whose main goal is to get to Cleveland; sunbathing sea lions; a loon who tries her best to help but can’t resist popcorn; Destiny, Dory’s old whale friend (it turns out she really can speak whale); and many more.
The original trio set off in search of Dory’s family, but Dory is soon scooped out of the water by someone with the Marine Life Institute to have a plastic ring removed from around her body. She is taken to the institute for rehabilitation and soon remembers – that was where she was born!
Navigating the institute isn’t easy, but with the help of her friends, Dory soon finds her parents, but they’re on a truck with all of the other blue tang, heading for Cleveland. Quick thinking and navigating by Hank helps Dory reunites with her family, both from the aquarium and ocean, but not without some hilarious antics first.
“Finding Dory” looks like a promising family film that will bring laughter, but also an appreciation for family and friends.