When Pixar's beloved "Finding Nemo" sailed into our cinemas in 2003, people young and old were absolutely thrilled by it. It became an instant classic of animation, a major animated blockbuster that proved once more that Pixar was something truly special. And what a gorgeous movie this is indeed.
A tour-de-force of artistic elegance, Finding Nemo has some of the most exquisite animation ever crafted for an animated movie. Almost every underwater scene is utterly divine. However, what makes this movie especially excellent is that the animation doesn't distract from the magnificent story. Almost every character in the movie is unique and memorable, almost every scene is creative, fresh and at times, powerfully affecting, and every stage of the journey to find Nemo is engaging and well-paced. This is a truly grand and timeless film.
One particularly great aspect of this movie is its sense of beautiful melancholia. While we know that Nemo will of course return home safe in the end, the constant feeling of desperation, regret and sadness fits the movie like a glove. This allows us to make very strong connections with the characters, and despite the film's somber atmosphere, it never feels overly depressing or dark because it's just so warm and likable. The film also has a glorious, heavenly soundtrack, often soothing enough to bring tears.
The only problem I have with Finding Nemo is its hit-or-miss humour. Don't get me wrong, this movie does have several good jokes and amusing moments in it, but unfortunately, it also has several jokes which aren't very funny. Most of the weaker joke material takes place in the dentist’s fish tank, as some of it is rather unsophisticated and lazy. Also, as well-meaning and sweet-natured as Dory is, I can't help but find some of her kooky teasing a tad too insensitive towards the grieving, heartbroken Marlin. The running gag of her forgetting everything isn't always as funny as it should be as well.
Finding Nemo is my fourth-favourite Pixar film, a heartwarming, spectacularly-animated and gigantic adventure that more than deserves its legacy. Because a fair amount of its humour doesn't work, I sadly can't call Finding Nemo a full-on masterpiece, but it's very close to being one. This is an enchanting, touching story for all ages that will never date, and is one of Pixar's finest accomplishments.
A Pixar classic
When Pixar's beloved "Finding Nemo" sailed into our cinemas in 2003, people young and old were absolutely thrilled by it. It became an instant classic of animation, a major animated blockbuster that proved once more that Pixar was something truly special. And what a gorgeous movie this is indeed.
A tour-de-force of artistic elegance, Finding Nemo has some of the most exquisite animation ever crafted for an animated movie. Almost every underwater scene is utterly divine. However, what makes this movie especially excellent is that the animation doesn't distract from the magnificent story. Almost every character in the movie is unique and memorable, almost every scene is creative, fresh and at times, powerfully affecting, and every stage of the journey to find Nemo is engaging and well-paced. This is a truly grand and timeless film.
One particularly great aspect of this movie is its sense of beautiful melancholia. While we know that Nemo will of course return home safe in the end, the constant feeling of desperation, regret and sadness fits the movie like a glove. This allows us to make very strong connections with the characters, and despite the film's somber atmosphere, it never feels overly depressing or dark because it's just so warm and likable. The film also has a glorious, heavenly soundtrack, often soothing enough to bring tears.
The only problem I have with Finding Nemo is its hit-or-miss humour. Don't get me wrong, this movie does have several good jokes and amusing moments in it, but unfortunately, it also has several jokes which aren't very funny. Most of the weaker joke material takes place in the dentist’s fish tank, as some of it is rather unsophisticated and lazy. Also, as well-meaning and sweet-natured as Dory is, I can't help but find some of her kooky teasing a tad too insensitive towards the grieving, heartbroken Marlin. The running gag of her forgetting everything isn't always as funny as it should be as well.
Finding Nemo is my fourth-favourite Pixar film, a heartwarming, spectacularly-animated and gigantic adventure that more than deserves its legacy. Because a fair amount of its humour doesn't work, I sadly can't call Finding Nemo a full-on masterpiece, but it's very close to being one. This is an enchanting, touching story for all ages that will never date, and is one of Pixar's finest accomplishments.