We loved Finding Nemo and were so excited to hear that a sequel would be gracing screens everywhere in 2016. It did not disappoint! The characters were still lovable, the story was fun and full of adventure, and it makes for a great family movie. Arriving today on Blu-ray, Finding Dory can now be purchased for your own personal movie collection and it’s one we definitely recommend.
“Finding Dory” features an all-star voice cast, reuniting Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”) and Albert Brooks (“This is 40”) as Dory and Marlin, the ever-optimistic blue tang and the uptight but loyal clownfish. Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”) lends his voice to “septopus” Hank, Kaitlin Olson (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) voices whale shark Destiny, and Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”) gives voice to beluga whale Bailey. Dory’s doting parents Charlie and Jenny are portrayed by Eugene Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) and Diane Keaton (“Love the Coopers”), and 12-year-old Hayden Rolence (“Beta Persei”) steps in as Nemo, the young clownfish with a lucky fin.
Thirteen years after the original, audiences get a new chapter in the story of their favorite forgetful blue tang. As returning director Andrew Stanton describes, “I realized that I was worried about Dory. The idea of her short-term memory loss and how it affected her was unresolved. What if she got lost again?” His response is a touching tale of friendship and family that’s truly unforgettable … perhaps even for Dory.
We are introduced to some great new characters in Finding Dory, such as Hank, whom we love. Here are some fun facts about Hank:
- LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN – When designers were working on Hank, the cantankerous octopus in “Finding Dory,” they created tapered tentacles for the cephalopod. The tentacles were modeled separately from the body, but when they tried to attach them, only seven would fit. Filmmakers later decided that it made sense that Hank would have an affliction, so they worked it into the script.
- 350 suckers are found on Hank: 50 suckers on each of his seven arms.
- 11,041 rigging prims were created just for Hank’s simulation (the average character requires around 20).
- 118 weeks were required of the team of technical directors who were responsible for building and articulating Hank.
- 22 weeks were spent shading Hank to give him extra texture and color, as well as making it possible for him to camouflage himself. (An average character takes less than eight weeks.)
We love Disney Pixar films and Finding Dory is no exception. It is a sweet, heart-warming tale and one you will want to share with your whole family.
*we received a copy to facilitate a feature, all opinions are my own.
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