'Finding Dory' vs. 'Finding Nemo': 5 differences
Obviously in a sequel there will be similarities, but there are some differences, too; we look at five of them
There are obviously a lot of similarities between “Finding Dory” and “Finding Nemo” — the former is a sequel, so that goes with the territory.
But there are also some noticeable differences in “Finding Dory” which, while quite good, can’t quite match the greatness of the original. Here are five (some of which may constitute mild spoiler alerts, so be warned).
1. It’s Dory’s movie.
Yes, given the title, that’s pretty obvious. But that also means it’s Ellen DeGeneres’ movie, as opposed to Albert Brooks’ movie, which is basically what “Finding Nemo” was. His Marlin carried the story the first time around, but there is no drop-off in terms of driving the plot with DeGeneres. In fact, she shows a vulnerability even the great Brooks didn’t match in the first film.
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2. A lot of the story takes place out of the ocean.
How, you ask, given that we’re dealing with fish and other marine life? Good question. Directors Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane have created a new playground for the characters — the Marine Life Institute. This requires some creative thinking to get the fish from one spot to the other. Don’t worry, they’re up to the task. It also opens up an opportunity for the next difference.
3. New characters abound.
Best of the lot is probably Bailey, a beluga with a head injury who is convinced he’s lost his echolocation ability (he hasn’t). Ty Burrell is hilarious in providing his voice. Also good are Ed O’Neill as Hank, a cranky octopus with seven arms (septapus, as Dory notes), and Kaitlin Olson as Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark who was Dory’s childhood friend.
4. There’s a new voice for Nemo.
Understandable, as Alexander Gould, who provided the voice in “Finding Nemo,” is now 22 years old. (In a nice touch, he provides the voice of Passenger Carl in the sequel.) Hayden Rolence, 11, voices Nemo in “Finding Dory.”
5. An actress plays herself, even though it’s obviously an animated movie.
OK, for this, we should probably throw up a genuine spoiler alert, even though it’s not a huge thing. When Dory, Marlin and Nemo finally find the Marine Life Institute, they hear a voice as if from the heavens above, and it belongs to … Sigourney Weaver. She provides the recorded track that plays on a loop at the institute (“I’m Sigourney Weaver, and …”), and we hear several times. David Letterman used to have a bit about how if you keep telling a joke it’ll either become like beating a dead horse or hilarious. This is definitely the latter, a callback joke that’s funny throughout and has a nice payoff late in the film.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: twitter.com/goodyk.
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