Finding Nemo (2003)
Just as the worst Hitchcock movie
is still a much better film than most of the movies
out there, the worst Pixar film is far superior to
the majority of animated work being exhibited on film
screens and TV screens across the country. "Finding
Nemo" is, without a doubt, the weakest Pixar film
yet, even less of a film than "A Bug's Life." But
then again, look at what it is being compared to.
It would be nearly impossible to top the achievements
of the two "Toy Story" film let alone the amazing
work that is "Monsters Inc."
"Finding Nemo" has been described
by some at Pixar as "Bambi" underwater and that comparison
seems accurate. The film begins with one of the most
sorrowful and teary introductions ever seen in a cartoon.
The angst and neurosis of the main character, as voiced
by Albert Brooks, can be annoying but mostly acts
as a constant reminder of just how paranoid parenthood
can make any person. There are harrowing and surprisingly
dark moments in "Finding Nemo" and one wonders if
some of them might be too disturbing for small children,
until we remember, as the film pointedly reminds us,
just how resilient and "adult" some kids can be.
The comic relief in "Finding Nemo"
is generally provided by Ellen Degeneres in one of
the most delightful and cute voice characterizations
to be found in animation. Needless to say, this is
the Disney Corp and, as importantly, Pixar, once again
brushing aside ridiculous homophobia and embracing
an openly gay person to voice a character where sexuality
is not an issue. Good for them! And, more importantly,
Degeneres is the perfect choice. She's great. Her
chemistry with Brooks keeps his wispy neurotic nasal
whine from entering the annoying phase. She balances
him out perfectly.
The animation in "Finding Nemo"
is, again, top notch. Some of the underwater effects
are just amazing. And some of the background scenery
is just beautiful here. The film is, when underwater
in the ocean, simply luscious.
But the story here is nearly horrible.
When young "Nemo" gets taken by divers and kept in
a fish tank in a dentist's office, the film begins
to waver between ocean scenes and this indoor setting.
Peopled with a wide assortment of well- known voices,
including Allsion Janney, Willem Dafoe and Brad Garrett,
the scenes inside are nonetheless drab, boring and
typical. And though the film would have you believe
it is paying homage, it actually rips off "Bambi"
and "101 Dalmatians" while recycling story ideas from
the first "Toy Story," this time with a wily little
girl seen as the danger to the main group of characters,
rather than the anarchistic little boy who appeared
in the first.
Still, there is much to enjoy in
"Finding Nemo." Many of the characters are odd and
quirky and fun. The seagulls here are hilarious. And
the sea turtles are as cool as can be. Plus, these
ancient creatures also provide a wonderful moment
for Brooks and the actor playing Nemo to engage in
one of the sweetest and most endearing father/son
conversations ever to appear on film. In this scene,
the film becomes magical. Just what we would expect
from a Pixar film.
Again, "Finding Nemo" may be the
most uninteresting and typical of the Pixar films
but that doesn't keep it from being colorful, funny
and sweet. And it's got a great score by Thomas Newman
("American Beauty") to hook you in as well.
Note:
With the voices of Austin Pendleton,
Stephen Root, Geoffrey Rush, Elizabeth Perkins, Eric
Bana, Erik Per Sullivan, Barry Humphries (aka Dame
Edna Everage) and John Ratzenberger. The latter's
voice has appeared in every Pixar movie.
Writer/Director Andrew Stanton also
does the voice of Crush.
The Pizza Planet Truck and Buzz
Lightyear from "Toy Story" have a cameo. (Like Ratzenberger
the Pizza Planet truck has appeared in every Pixar
feature). Mike from "Monster's Inc" has a cameo in
the end credits. A car from Pixar's upcoming feature
"Cars" drives by the dentist's office window.
Nemo makes a cameo appearance twice
in "Monsters, Inc."
The theatrical presentations of
this film was preceded by one of Pixar's first animated
short, 1989's "Knick Knack."
The film had the highest grossing
opening weekend of any animated feature (70 million).
Its budget was 94 million.
Viewed in Austin in June 2003 with
Johnny Oh! and my roomie Amanda.
