Move Review: Finding Nemo

By CHRISTOPHER J. ORTIZ
The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University

Finding Nemo, Disney/Pixar Pictures

From the always-dependable computer animation company, Pixar's gamble on its first summer release seems to have paid off. The movie captures you with its breathtaking and almost surreal animation but where most summer movies end, Pixar does not rely solely on special affects; the script and the acting carries the movie.
Clownfish Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) must search the depths of the ocean for his only son Nemo who got lost after proving on his first day of school that he is not afraid of everything wet like his dad. On his quest, Marlin runs into Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a fish with a little problem with her short-term memory. In the typical Pixar plot, the two mismatched characters join efforts in finding the title character.
On the way, they run into Bruce (Barry Humphries), a killer white shark who is taking a 12-step program to stop from eating other fish and other shark stereotypes. Meanwhile Nemo ends up in a dentist's fish tank where he meets pet fish who have been preparing to escape under the leadership of veteran fish Gill (Willem Dafoe).
Though predictable and at some points in the film I asked myself if I have seen parts of this movie in previous Pixar productions (Toy Story, A Bug's Life), the movie shines with brilliant and first-rate animation backed up with marvelous and outstanding voice performances.

B+