The much-anticipated follow-up to the brilliant 2003 film Finding Nemo is here!
But is it any good? Heck yes! ... Is it as good as Finding Nemo? Not quite!
After a trip down memory lane at the start for context on Dory's childhood (baby-fish-hood?), this film follows her search for her parents. It's charming, funny, visually beautiful and just good fun. Ellen DeGeneres remains the voice of Dory and does it beautifully. I creepily listened to parents and young kids after the session I was in, as well as late teens who were enchanted by Finding Nemo 13 years ago and the verdict was all positive from what I could hear. It doesn't quite live up to the quality of Finding Nemo for mine but that was such a revelation for many that I think it's a hell of an ask to live up to or better.
If you would like evidence of how fun it is, read this not-very-positive review by David Stratton. Honestly, that guy is such a wowser. But here is a long and positive review in The New York Times if you want to know about the film and how lovely it is!
For those wondering if you need to have seen Finding Nemo to understand and enjoy Finding Dory - definitely not in my view, it stands alone well.
Warning to parents of little ones - the film is 105 minutes. Add a six minute short film to the start of that plus TWENTY FIVE MINUTES of ads and trailers before the films starts and you've got a pretty long time to be in the cinema. Some littlies in my session got very restless towards the end.
While we're talking about the end, here's my hot tip... stay to the VERY end of the credits.
Trailer here. In cinemas now.