Finding Dory Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A fish with chronic amnesia suddenly remembers she has parents and drags her anxious clownfish friend across the ocean to find them, mostly because she heard Sigourney Weaver’s voice.

🍿 Finding Dory: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Dory’s Childhood and Separation

The movie opens with a flashback to Dory as a young fish, learning about her ‘short-term remembery loss’ from her loving parents, Charlie and Jenny. During a game of hide-and-seek, Dory gets lost after being drawn to an undertow, leading to her separation from her parents. This establishes the core conflict of the film: Dory’s search for her long-lost family.

Triggered Memories and the Journey to California

Years later, Dory is living with Marlin and Nemo on the Great Barrier Reef. During a class field trip with Mr. Ray, a series of events trigger fragmented memories of her parents and her past. Dory remembers growing up in the Jewel of Morro Bay, California, prompting her to embark on a journey across the ocean to find her family. Marlin and Nemo, despite Marlin’s initial reluctance, decide to accompany her.

The Marine Life Institute

The trio arrives at the Marine Life Institute (MLI) in California, where Dory is quickly separated from Marlin and Nemo. At the MLI, Dory encounters Hank, a ‘septopus’ (an octopus missing a tentacle) who desires a transfer to an aquarium in Cleveland to avoid being released back into the ocean. Dory and Hank strike a deal: Dory will give Hank her tag, needed for the transfer, if he helps her find her parents.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dory (Ellen DeGeneres): The friendly but forgetful blue tang embarks on a journey to find her long-lost parents, learning about family along the way.
• Marlin (Albert Brooks): The anxious clownfish supports Dory in her quest to find her family, demonstrating his loyalty and growth.
• Nemo (Hayden Rolence): The supportive young clownfish joins Marlin in helping Dory, showcasing his adventurous spirit.
• Hank (Ed O’Neill): The grumpy septopus (seven-legged octopus) begrudgingly assists Dory in her search, eventually finding friendship and a change of heart.
• Destiny (Kaitlin Olson): The near-sighted whale shark, Dory’s childhood friend, provides guidance and support in navigating the Marine Life Institute.
• Bailey (Ty Burrell): The beluga whale with echolocation insecurities overcomes his doubts to assist Dory and her friends.
• Jenny (Diane Keaton): Dory’s loving mother diligently creates a shell trail, demonstrating her enduring commitment to her daughter despite their separation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dory: “Just keep swimming.” – Dory’s mantra, which she repeats to encourage herself to overcome obstacles and persevere, even when she forgets what she’s doing.
• Dory: “I remember!” – Dory exclaims this whenever a memory briefly surfaces, usually followed by her quickly forgetting again.
• Dory: “There’s always another way.” – Dory’s parents taught her this phrase to help her cope with her memory loss and find solutions to problems.
• Dory: “My parents, I miss them. I really, really miss them. Do you know what that’s like?” – Dory expresses her longing for her parents to Marlin, highlighting her deep-seated emotional need to find her family.
• Hank: “All right, let’s get you home. Then I’m off to Cleveland.” – Hank says this demonstrating his initial selfish motivation, contrasting with his eventual change of heart.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $200,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $486,295,561
• Worldwide Gross: $1,029,266,989

💥 Finding Dory Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Finding Dory’! As a huge fan of ‘Finding Nemo,’ I was worried about the sequel, but it completely won me over. Dory’s journey to find her parents was so touching, and I found myself tearing up several times. Hank was hilarious, and the animation was stunning. It reminded me why I love Pixar so much. It’s a must-see for any animation fan!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming adventure”
  • “Fans of Finding Nemo”
  • “Viewers who appreciate visually stunning animation”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about overcoming challenges”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of peril and separation that may be emotionally intense for young children”
  • “Some characters experience anxiety and self-doubt”
  • “Mentions of memory loss”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “While not quite as groundbreaking as ‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘Finding Dory’ is a delightful and visually stunning adventure that explores themes of family and self-acceptance with humor and heart. DeGeneres shines as Dory, and the new characters add freshness to the familiar underwater world.
• Rolling Stone: “‘Finding Dory’ isn’t just a sequel; it’s a worthy successor. The animation is breathtaking, the story is emotionally resonant, and the humor is spot-on. Ed O’Neill as Hank steals every scene he’s in.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Pixar delivers another visual masterpiece with a heartwarming story about finding your place in the world. ‘Finding Dory’ may not break new ground, but it’s a charming and entertaining film for the whole family.

Audience Reactions

The stunning animation made the underwater world feel so real and immersive.: Visually beautiful and captivating for all ages

Dory’s perseverance and positive attitude in the face of her memory loss were truly inspiring.: Heartwarming and emotionally resonant storyline

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and entertaining sequel that, while not as groundbreaking as its predecessor, offers a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and self-acceptance.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Animated Film)- 2017
2. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Animated Feature)- 2017

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Hank originally had eight tentacles, but the animators realized it was too difficult to animate, so they removed one and rewrote his backstory to explain the missing limb.”
• “The Marine Life Institute is heavily based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, which the filmmakers visited for research.”
• “Originally, the ending was to be set in a SeaWorld-like park, but after the documentary ‘Blackfish’ was released, the ending was changed to be set in a more conservation-focused environment.”
• “The voice of the aquarium announcer is Sigourney Weaver, playing herself. This was a recurring gag throughout the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Finding Dory?

Finding Dory is available for streaming on Disney+. You can also rent or buy the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Finding Dory, you might like these similar films:

• Finding Nemo (2003): The original film that introduces Dory and establishes the underwater world and characters.
• A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (2010): A sea turtle travels the ocean facing challenges, similar to Dory’s journey of self-discovery.
• The Incredible Journey (1963): Classic tale of animals traversing a great distance to return home, mirroring the core theme of Dory finding her parents.
• Soul (2020): Explores themes of self-discovery and finding one’s purpose, akin to Dory’s journey to understand her past and present.
• The Rescuers (1977): An animated adventure where mice embark on a dangerous mission to rescue an orphan girl, embodying a similar spirit of determination and friendship.

🛒 Finding Dory Related Products

• Finding Dory Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack: Own the movie in stunning high definition with exclusive bonus features, including deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes footage. Watch it anywhere, anytime!
• Finding Dory: The Junior Novelization: Relive the adventure with this beautifully illustrated novelization of the movie. Perfect for young readers and fans of all ages.
• Disney Pixar Finding Dory Squishy Pops – 4 Pack: Collect and trade your favorite Finding Dory characters. They’re perfect for display or fun, squishy play!
• Finding Dory Ocean Explorers: Join Dory and her friends on an underwater adventure in this interactive gaming app. Solve puzzles, explore ocean environments, and learn about marine life.

🎧 Soundtrack

Finding Dory features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Unforgettable” – performed by Sia
• “Finding Dory (Original Score)” – performed by Thomas Newman
• “What a Wonderful World” – performed by Louis Armstrong

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Film Theory: Is Dory FAKING? (Finding Dory)

Did you ever wonder if Dory’s memory issues are just an act? This video takes a deep dive into the possibility, with evidence from the film and a dash of humor. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged!

Everything Wrong With Finding Dory In 16 Minutes Or Less

Join the hilarious team at CinemaSins as they gleefully poke fun at Finding Dory, pointing out everything from plot holes to missed opportunities. It’s a must-watch for fans who love a good laugh at their favorite films.

Hidden Meaning in FINDING DORY – Earthling Cinema

What if Finding Dory is more than just a fun animated film? This video uncovers hidden meanings and explores the movie’s deeper themes, inviting you to see the story in a whole new light.

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