REAL TALK ABOUT "FINDING NEMO" {2003}

Because -- as you know if you saw my status update on Goodreads -- I watched it for the first time in a long time yesterday, and I HAVE SOME FEELINGS, FAM. <333


Wow.  You guys.

I appreciated this so much yesterday.  I mean, I appreciated it as a wee child, but a few years later it's even better.

True, it's not one of what I would call my "core favorite" movies: while it has a place in my heart, that place isn't nestled deep into the fibers of my soul, if you know what I mean.  And I'd probably get tired of it if I watched it over and over again (I think that's what happened before).  But it's still a favorite -- just not a top favorite -- and it's definitely still a very nostalgic, meaningful movie to me, just on the basis of #memories, quality time with siblings, etc.

BUT IN IT'S OWN RIGHT, THOUGH, THIS MOVIE IS FLIPPING AMAZING.

LIKE THIS PART.  Feels alert!

// The Experience //

First of all, I'd like to point out that this movie is almost everyone's childhood.  (Not everyone's, I know, but a lot of people's.)  It's iconic to a lot of people, and that says something.

This time around, I couldn't even make it through the menu without Feeling Things.  The moment the coral reef showed up, I was already feeling like:


And then it didn't even take ten minutes of the actual show before I was like this inside:


I found myself feeling tense and nervous in certain "suspenseful" parts, even though I've seen it so many times and know how everything ends. ;D  Again, good proof as to how great this film is.

// The Script //

The basic plot is well thought out -- and, I just now realized, it manages to be compelling without any major plot twists.  You know?  Nothing remarkably unexpected happens; it all just works on its own.

Anywho.  The way that the story is executed is also admirable.  I mean, THEM LINES, THOUGH.  There are a lot that I've loved for a long time, obviously, ("Commmmme baaaaaaaaaaaaaackhh!"), but there were a lot that I hadn't caught before this last time.  

Let's take a look at some of the best ones, shall we? ;)


"Humans!  Think they own everything."
"Probably American."

~ ~ ~

"I'm gonna see a man about a wallaby."

~ ~ ~

"I'm H2O intolerant."

~ ~ ~ 

"He touched the butt."

~ ~ ~

"BUBBLES!  The bubbles the bubbles the bubbles. . . . My bubbles."

~ ~ ~

"BAD SQUISHY!"

~ ~ ~

"Hop inside my mouth, if you want to live."

~ ~ ~

"It's like he's trying to speak to me, I know it!"

~ ~ ~

And, of course: "SHARKBAIT, OOH-HA-HA."


// The Characters //

Ahh, the characters.

The phenomenal, amazing, iconic cast of love-bugs.

I WUVS THEM. <333


Marlin = #relatable and awesome
Nemo = adorable and awesome
Nigel = Geoffrey Rush, Australian, and awesome 
Gill = #boss (aka awesome)
the whole tank clan = precious and paternal and welcoming and awesome
Dude Crush = cooler than any of us will ever be, and awesome

And, of course, Dory.  The incomparable, the inimitable Dory.


Let's be honest: we all freaking love this fish.


// The Aesthetic //

300% MY THING!!  Ack.  Guys.  

The animation is breathtaking.  The care the animators took to strike the right balance between making everything look as realistic as possible while still retaining an element of magic and whimsy is amazing.  The colors are bright and vivid and clear and happy and safe -- most of the time.  In certain areas of the ocean, they're certainly not: for instance, closer to the commercial areas, there's a lot of algae-covered piping, depressed-looking fish, etc. -- which, while not as easy on the eyes as the parts near the coral reef, or with the jellyfish and the sea turtles, definitely seems realistic.

Again, though, color-wise, a lot of the film is bright and idyllic.

It also has some gorgeous, incredibly detailed shots:


Sorry, I know you can't really see this, but it's when the camera is panning further into the whale's mouth, and it's really cool.

I always thought this thing looked so cool. :)



// OVERALL //

It's a story that deals with the idea of home, so it's fitting that it's a movie that, overall, leaves the viewer feeling at home.  

I watched the documentary about the making of the movie, and it's amazing how much care and love went into creating that sense of belonging for us.

Seriously, everything about this movie is so carefully crafted and unique and magical and SAFE. Very, very special film. Legitimately one of the best I've ever seen.



Comments

  1. Yeah, I saw this in the theater when it came out, so I was in my 20s, and I was like, "I am sitting here crying over fish. NO, I am sitting here bawling over fish. What even is this dire magic?" Amaaaaaaaazing movie. That my kids refuse to watch, which is probably best, as my 10-year-old would be traumatized for life, probably. My 8-year-old would be fine, and the 6-year-old would be like, "Well, since I'm actually a shark, why would I be scared?" but my 10-year-old probably shouldn't watch this, like, ever. Sigh.

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    1. For real, though. I wonder if I would have cried if I had first seen it as a teen or an adult -- there's definitely a chance. ;)

      Awwwww, oh no! Haha, your 6-year-old sounds like fun. ;D (I mean they all sound like fun. But you know what I mean.) Hehe, honestly, I'm still a teensy bit scared when Marlin turns around to see Bruce's huge, creepy, toothy face grinning at him. #struggles

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  2. I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH. And then I always cry during Finding Dory. THESE MOVIES, MAN.

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  3. ohhhhh this movie *heart eyes* I quote it far too often, lol.
    "Today's the dayyyy, the sun is shiniiiing, the tank is cleeean, and we are getting out of - the tank is clean. tHE TaNK is CLEan!!"

    but seriously I love this film so much <3 Finding Dory is next on your list, yes? :D

    ~ Abby

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    1. Abigail, haha, yaasss. "tHE TaNK is CLEan!!" << haha, like how you put that. ;D

      I know, right?! Aww, I don't know. I loved Finding Dory, but I don't know if I'll be reviewing it . . . I guess we'll see. :D

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  4. This was my lil' brother's film growing up. Aside from the pro-public schooling thing (die hard homeschooler), I have always loved this film, and it makes me laugh so hard!!! I'm always quoting lines from it...
    I CAN SPEAK WHALE!!!!
    astoryspinner.blogspot.com

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    1. Haha, it's a great one!! And very quotable. "Hey, that snail was about to charge!!" Thanks for the comment, Erica! :)

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  5. I loved watching this movie growing up. I remember liking the soundtrack and the characters, and all the 'fishies'. :)
    It's so neat to re-watch things when you get older, because it's like you are watching it through new eyes (and you are).
    I have been meaning to re-watch some old Pixar movies again, to see what I think of them. :)

    Great post! I love how you describe the aesthetics of Finding Nemo.

    -Amaris

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    1. Exactly, Amaris! You should totally do that. :)

      Awwww, thank you! I appreciate that. :)

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  6. Ah yes, good ol' Finding Nemo. :) I think I got to the point as well where I had just watched it over too much and got tired of it, but I haven't seen it for quite some time now and reading your post kind of makes me want to watch it again! It's truly a wonderful movie. <3

    And I agree on the aesthetics of it -- so much of the animation looks so real and beautiful and just... WOW.

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    1. Yeah, I did the same thing, Faith. Yes, maybe you'd have the same experience! Like you said, it truly is a great movie. :)

      I KNOW, RIGHT?!

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  7. Teehee I giggled when I saw the Opera House, I do miss Sydney maybe I'll have to fly down one weekend! :D

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    1. Ack, so cool how you have the option of "just flying down one weekend"!!! :D

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  8. I first saw this last summer, when one of The Siblings was in the hospital; and . . . yeah, fam. I cried. <3

    IT'S SO SAD AND HAPPY ALL AT THE SAME TIME AND I CAN'T.

    Also, Marlin. I relate to Marlin so much, and I especially related to him at that particular point in time; because he just wants to keep his family safe, so he clings to them as tightly as he can and he has to learn that maybe that's just a little TOO tight. BUT HE STILL WANTS TO KEEP THEM SAFE. Ack. *has many many feelings*

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    1. Awww, JESSICA!!!!!

      It's such a special movie. <3 Yes, Marlin's so relatable and precious. <3

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  9. Yes!!! ISN'T IT SUCH AN AMAZING MOVIE?! Definitely one of my favourite animations... and I mean, it's Aussie, so what's not to love? ;)

    Just, YES. Agreed with every point!!! <3 We quote this movie all the time... and I just realized, most of the time we don't even realize it. :P My siblings and I grew up with this, so I have a special place in my heart for it.

    <3 <3 <3

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    1. Ahh, exactly, Gabby! I really realized and appreciated how Aussie it is this time around. ;D

      AAACKK, yes. <333

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  10. SSSSSOOOOO GOOD!! It has been forever since I watched it. I love it so much that I haven't seen Finding Dory yet, because the original is always better.

    Great review, Olivia!! :D

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    1. Oh, but MC, you should see Finding Dory!! I think you'd like it. Of course it's not entirely as good as Nemo, but it's very good! I wasn't disappointed. :) But I guess everyone has to decide for themselves. ;D

      Awww, thanks so much, friend! I appreciate it. :)

      Delete

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