Finding Dory, the long-awaited sequel to the Pixar hit last decade, is killing it at the box-office. Is that because it is a good movie? For every wonderful Pixar film, ala Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., there are equal amounts of disappointing ones, read Brave or, well, Finding Dory. It opens with flashbacks of the titular regal blue tang, with an annoying habit of forgetting (something the film calls "short-term memory loss; I call it a repetitive plot device). Her forgetfulness had people cracking up in the first movie, but with a rehashed plot, rehashed jokes just help make this 103 minute long movie tedious.
With flashbacks of her parents, she rushes off to find them with the help of Nemo and Marlin, son and father who are unfunny clown fishes (at least I did not laugh at their jokes). There is a brief reunion with secondary characters from the first film, introduced as obligations rather than inspiration. Followed is a thrilling but brief chase scene with a giant squid, there is some exposition, and then, gasp, Dory, wrapped in environmental-message laden trash, brought into a marine life park. The film's best joke, one with a surprising celebrity appearance, happens around this time, and I will save you the gag for you to discover when your children or lover drags you to see it.
Pixar continues the tradition of hiring names instead of voices for their characters, with comediennes, actors and actresses all just talking instead of acting. Gone are the times when Robin Williams not just voiced the Genie, but inspired the character. Here, Diane Keaton, Ed O'Neil, and Idris Elba, among a myriad of others, just talk, probably have a good time, but all giving it no more effort than their paycheck asks for.
Though its dialogue is generic, particularly following the heartfelt Inside Out last year, the film moves briskly, jumping from one small group of animals doing daring stunts that amuse in addition to keeping the plot going. It is visually entertaining, however, despite taking place roughly half under the ocean, it lacks the awe and wonder that the deep blue offers, perhaps proving that there is only so much you can do there, even with computers and their wizardry.
