TECH2

I got invited to preview showing of Finding Dory and I have some thoughts.

Overall thoughts below, then some deeper (a pun) thoughts after another break.

Pixar has the best track record of any movie studio… by far. They have an (almost) perfect track record. Even a “bad” Pixar movie is usually still pretty great. Then, at the opposite end of the spectrum, are the best of the best. The movies that make Pixar legendary.

Finding Nemo is certainly one of those. An essentially perfect movie. How do you follow that? Their track record with sequels isn’t quite as spotless as their originals. On one hand you have Cars 2 (one of their worst) and on the other, Toy Story 2 (one of their best).

Since you’ve clicked on this page I’m guessing you’re curious, so here it is: Finding Dory is fantastic. It great fun with all the serious and funny moments you’d expect of a Pixar movie. Highly recommended.

Want more detail than that? Scroll past the trailer.

In the pantheon of Pixar sequels Finding Dory isn’t quite TS2, but it’s closer to that end of the spectrum than the other. I certainly enjoyed it more than any of the non-Toy Story sequels.

What’s perhaps most impressive is how easy Pixar makes it all look. The trailer tells you everything you need to know about the plot, enough that you could probably guess where everything goes… yet it’s still compelling and interesting to watch. In fact, only about half the movie is what you’d expect, the other has some fun surprises.

And on top of that, it’s funny. Many laugh-out-loud moments. The rest of the audience at my screening (a pretty even mix of parents and kids) seemed to love it too.

And the more I think about it, I really can’t come up with anything that was wrong. Maybe my expectations are too high because it’s Pixar? I don’t know.

Maybe it just needs time and a few more viewings before it’s place among the Pixar greats can be judged. Right now I’d say it’s in their top 10 for sure.

So yeah, go see it. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it.

No, wait, I shouldn’t say that. There’s always someone who doesn’t like something lovely, and those people invariably are the type to comment on websites: “Actually…”

So anyone who’s not one of those people will almost certainly like it.

And, lastly, the pre-movie short “Piper” has the best CG I’ve ever seen. Flat out incredible.