Finding Nemo

13th April 2204

reviewer: Geoffrey Wilkinson
rating: 4 out of 5
directed by: Andrew Stanton
written by: Andrew Stanton
starring: Albert Brookes, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
genre: Adventure Animation Comedy Family
released: 10th October 2003

The fifth feature length film to come out of the Pixar studios, and tells the story of Marlin and Nemo two clown-fish living in the reefs around Australia. Having lost his partner and most of his children Marlin has become incredibly overprotective of his one remaining son Nemo. However on the first day of school Nemo has been pushed too far by his father’s restrictions and swims out into the open sea where he is captured by a diver.

Nemo's Home

Marlin witnesses this and chases the boat until it is out of sight. While trying to get some idea of the direction the boat with his son went, he meets Dory who has to admit to him that she has no short term memory. Nevertheless the pair of them set out to track down Nemo which leads them into various confrontations with other marine life.

Nemo.. about to be 'rescued'

Meanwhile Nemo himself is being kept in a dentist’s aquarium as a potential present for his niece. He is quickly accepted by the other occupants who try to formulate an escape plan so they can all return to the ocean.

Marlin and Dory meet Bruce

The film is very funny as you may have come to expect from the Pixar feature films and the coral reefs look spectacular. All the characters encountered are interesting but I still felt there were some problems with this film compared to the likes of 'Toy Story'.

Nemo is welcomed by the tank fish

Firstly there was no real villain in this film whereas previously we have been treated to 'Sid', 'Hopper', 'Al’ and 'Stinky Pete', and 'Randall' in the previous 4 films. I also felt that the film was trying to follow two stories and I felt Nemo's adventures in the fish tank suffered because of this Rather than there being a main story and a sub plot, the two were more separate and left me feeling less satisfied.

Marlin and Dory meet some turtles

Apart from these minor points the film is great fun to watch and many people have told me that it is their favourite in the series so please don't let this one persons opinion stop you from seeing it. If you have any comments please feel free to bring them to my attention in the forum which can be accessed from the menu above.