Finding Nemo --- A Pixar triumph that has fast become a classic

Pixar and their computer animating studios really took children’s cartoons to the next level with their influx of hugely successful films. When Finding Nemo came along, it really just took that level to a new standard. The old Disney classic of hand-drawing the animation is slowly fading out, as the new generation of cartoons have really taken hold on a vast audience. Finding Nemo ended up making more than $700 million in theaters worldwide, thus setting it as the highest grossing computer animated cartoon at the time. That is a ton of money for a film that cost less than $100 million to produce and advertise. Needless to say, it really solidified that people were willing to spend their money to go see a computer created cartoon more than once.

Finding Nemo is the story of two clown fish living in the vast coral reefs of Australia. Albert Brooks plays the voice of Marlin, who is father to a little fish named Nemo. They have not had an easy life thus far, being the only two left from a vast family that was destroyed by an evil fish. Left to take care of Nemo, Marlin is a single father who soon becomes over-protective of his son. He of course just wants to insure that nothing ever happens to Nemo, and in doing so, has started to suffocate him a little bit. This leads Nemo to want to "rebel" in some sorts, and take risks that he would not normally take. One of these risks leads to him being captured by a fisherman, and sent to live in a tank far from the oceans that they have all known. With his son missing, Marlin must take off on a journey to find Nemo.

Along the way, he receives help from a traveling companion named Dory, who had her voice supplied by Ellen DeGeneres. Dory is lacking a short-term memory, and thus will forget anything she has heard within about 10 seconds. This little twist makes a lot of sequences involving her turn out quite funny, and I will admit that every time I see the movie DeGeneres has me laughing pretty hard. She was perfect for this part, and brings a lot of fresh humor that helped me to enjoy the film even more. In addition to Dory, he comes across a set of three sharks going through fish withdrawal, and a school of turtles that are riding the currents much like surfers would do. With each step of the way, they are coming across new wildlife that either presents them with new challenges, or helps them on their long journey.

A million miles away, Nemo has found himself in an aquarium for a dentists office, and is scared beyond words. He must become acquainted with a new group of fish that inhabit the tank, and figure out his place among these new fish. Life seems to be lacking its fun, and though the new fish are friendly and want to help him, he misses his dad, and regrets having ended up in the situation. These new friends have a plan of their own though, and they are going to try their hardest to help Nemo find his father as well. So, from there we have two stories going on at the same time; a father in search of his lost son, and Nemo trying to figure out a way to get back home. Along the way we are in for a lot of humor, some drama, and a good old-fashioned story of a father and son finding out how much they really have in common.

Finding Nemo is one of those films that you can watch multiple times, because there are certain lines, and story sequences that are both funny and interesting to see more than once. I own the movie now, and it is one that you can pop on while you are doing something else (typing or eating) and not have to worry too much about getting lost. At the heart of the movie, this is a story about family, and the importance of realizing what you have. It is right along the lines of a normal Disney movie, but the way that it is mostly shown under-water is simply amazing. The way they worked the animation and the coloring makes you think that you really are under the sea with all of them. The DVD actually has a bonus feature where you get to go under the sea with live fish, which is another interesting facet. I love Finding Nemo, and I think that it is one of those great family movies that should be in everyone’s collection. It is funny, it is endearing, and above all, the story is carried out so well that you won't be able to stop from enjoying it.