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    Finding Dory
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    Finding Dory

    United States flagUnited States

    "She might forget the journey, but she won't forget you."

    2016 97 English
    70%

    User Score

    345000 votes

    Community

    Part of a Collection

    Finding Nemo Collection

    Overview

    Thirteen years after the events of Finding Nemo, Dory lives a comfortable life with Marlin and Nemo in the Great Barrier Reef. Her short-term memory loss, once a source of gentle humor, begins to trigger fragmented memories of her childhood separation from her parents. Driven by an overwhelming need to find them, she leaves her home despite her friends' fears that she will get lost or hurt.

    The trio travels across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute in Monterey Bay, California. Inside this massive aquarium, they encounter Hank, a grumpy seven-armed octopus who agrees to help them navigate the facility in exchange for a promise of freedom. The film balances high-stakes rescue missions with moments of comedy as Dory's memory lapses threaten their progress at every turn.

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    PlotSpoiler-free

    Dory wakes up one morning feeling unusually restless. She recalls a vague memory of being separated from her family during a storm and hearing a strange whale sound that she believes is a call from her parents. This sudden realization shatters her contentment. She decides she must leave the reef to find them, even though Marlin and Nemo warn her that the open ocean is dangerous. After some hesitation, they agree to go with her, forming a new team of unlikely heroes ready to face the unknown.

    Their journey takes them far beyond the safety of the coral reefs and into the bustling waters of Monterey Bay. They arrive at the Marine Life Institute, a sprawling public aquarium filled with tanks, filtration systems, and curious humans. The environment is hostile for marine life, filled with security guards and automated cleaning robots. Upon entering the facility, the group immediately runs into trouble. They are spotted by Hank, a cynical octopus who has spent years adapting to captivity. He initially refuses to help, viewing their mission as a threat to his hard-won survival, but eventually agrees when Dory promises to help him escape if he can.

    Navigating the institute proves difficult. Dory's condition becomes a central obstacle; just as she seems close to finding her parents, she forgets her purpose and wanders off. Marlin and Nemo must constantly remind her of their goal while protecting her from the dangers of the facility. Along the way, they meet other captive animals who offer assistance. Fluke and Rudder, a pair of sea lions, provide comic relief and help move obstacles out of the way. Jenny and Charlie, a pair of seahorses, share clues about Dory's past that hint at a tragic event involving a fishing boat and a storm.

    The tension builds as the team realizes time is running out. Dory is scheduled to be transferred to a permanent exhibit where she might never see her family again. The narrative shifts from a simple rescue mission to a race against time and Dory's own mind. The emotional core of the story lies in Dory's determination to reclaim her identity and Marlin's growth as he learns to trust her abilities despite her limitations. The film explores themes of family, memory, and the courage it takes to face one's past without letting fear hold you back.

    As the climax approaches, the stakes rise higher. Dory must use her unique perspective and the help of her friends to locate her parents, who are believed to be held in a different part of the facility. The audience watches as the bonds between the characters are tested. Will Dory successfully reunite with her parents, or will her memory loss prevent her from ever finding the answers she seeks? The story culminates in a high-stakes sequence where every second counts, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats wondering if hope will prevail over confusion.

    Ending ExplainedSpoilers

    Trailers

    Official US Trailer 2

    Official US Trailer

    Official US Teaser Trailer

    Critical Reception

    Critical Consensus

    Finding Dory expands on the world of Finding Nemo with visual splendor and emotional resonance. While the plot feels slightly less tight than its predecessor, the film's exploration of memory loss and family shines through Ellen DeGeneres' heartfelt performance. It delivers a mix of humor and heart that appeals to both children and adults.

    Top Cast

    Ellen DeGeneres

    Ellen DeGeneres

    Dory (voice)

    Albert Brooks

    Albert Brooks

    Marlin (voice)

    Hayden Rolence

    Hayden Rolence

    Nemo (voice)

    Ed O'Neill

    Ed O'Neill

    Hank (voice)

    Diane Keaton

    Diane Keaton

    Jenny (voice)

    Eugene Levy

    Eugene Levy

    Charlie (voice)

    Ty Burrell

    Ty Burrell

    Bailey (voice)

    Kaitlin Olson

    Kaitlin Olson

    Destiny (voice)

    Idris Elba

    Idris Elba

    Fluke (voice)

    Dominic West

    Dominic West

    Rudder (voice)

    Crew

    Director

    Andrew Stanton

    Writers

    Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, Victoria Strouse, Matt Jones

    Composer

    Thomas Newman

    Cinematographer

    Jeremy Lasky

    Producers

    Lindsey Collins, Andrew Stanton

    Awards

    Annie Awards (2017)

    Best Animated Feature: Won

    Annie Awards (2017)

    Best Voice Acting: Won

    Golden Globe Awards (2017)

    Best Animated Feature Film: Nominated

    BAFTA Awards (2017)

    Best Animated Film: Nominated

    Academy Awards (2017)

    Best Animated Feature: Nominated

    Keywords

    fishamnesiaoctopussequelanthropomorphismcomputer animationunderwateraftercreditsstingerclownfish3d animationamusedenthusiastichopeful

    Sources

    Facts

    Memory Research
    Filmmakers consulted neurologists specializing in short-term memory loss to accurately portray Dory's condition.
    Octopus Design
    Hank was designed with seven arms instead of eight to make his movements more distinct and comedic.
    Sequel Delay
    Pixar took extra time to develop a story that stood on its own merits rather than rushing a sequel.
    Cameos
    Several characters from Finding Nemo appear in the background, including Gill, Bloat, and Pufferfish.
    Production Location
    Research trips were conducted at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California to study marine life.

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