Pixar is about to release the sequel to their 2003 hit, Finding Nemo. Finding Dory picks up with the titular regal tang who suffers from memory loss, six months after the events of Nemo. Dory decides she wants to track down her parents, and Nemo and his dad, Marlin, join him on the journey. If the plot sounds a little familiar, you'd be right. Finding Nemo focused on Marlin's journey to look for his son when he was taken by scuba divers.
That said, Finding Dory also introduces a whole host of new characters for us to enjoy, including a Loon named Becky, a moody Octopus named Hank, and some very territorial Seals. Though the film doesn't get its national release until Friday (June 17th), early reviews for the sequel are strong, praising the storytelling and characterization. Building off of several trailer releases, Pixar have now dropped four clips from the movie online, as well as footage of the voice cast during recording and the animation process. The first clip was released last week, and shows Marlin desperately trying to convince Dory that she does not need to leave the reef to search for her parents.
The second clip introduces Kaitlin Olson as Destiny, and Ty Burrell as Bailey, the Beluga Whale whose echo-location does or does not work, depending on which whale you ask. The third clip references Dory's recall problems, when Destiny gives her simple directions that she can't remember. Dory asks Hank for help but he seems somewhat reluctant, to say the least. Clip number four will bring back memories of Finding Nemo for most, since it shows Nemo in his school class, learning about family. The aquatic children question Dory about her parentage but of course, she can't remember. Take a look at the four short clips below.
The B-roll footage takes the form of two clips. The first gives a look at the animation process, which is always fascinating to watch. Among other things, it details how Bailey the Beluga came to be, and how the animators managed to achieve the very specific look that a Beluga has. There is also footage of Hank coming to life; a tricky task since an Octopus is not exactly the most endearing creature to look at. Though Hank is grumpy, the animators still needed to make him visually appealing for young viewers.
The final clip is perhaps the best one of all because it features recording sessions with Ellen De Generes as Dory, Albert Brooks (Marlin) Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy (Dory's parents), Ed O'Neil (Hank), Kaitlin Olson (Destiny), and Ty Burrell as Bailey. Watch the footage, below.
Written and co-directed by Andrew Stanton, Finding Dory does seem to play heavily off Finding Nemo, which is little surprise since Stanton also wrote and directed that. It's basically different characters in the same situations, but hey, the footage and trailers so far all point to the film being thoroughly enjoyable - and certainly, there are worse films to be recreated. Some movies are made to be taken at face value, and Finding Dory looks like it will be a great, fun film for the whole family to enjoy.
NEXT: Finding Dory Early Reviews
Finding Dory opens in U.S. theaters on June 17th, 2016.
Source: Pixar
