3D Blu-ray Movie Reviews

The mind reels at the creativity needed to craft a sequel to Finding Nemo, once the most popular Pixar movie of them all. The results pick up a year after clownfish-dad Marlin went on a quest to locate his missing son, and now traveling companion Dory is the one in need of finding. The lovably forgetful blue tang (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is on her own mission now, to reconnect with her parents, but soon enough she’s “trapped” at a marine biology theme park, reunited with some chums of her youth and aided by some new aquatic allies. Chief among her cohorts is resourceful Hank the seven-legged octopus, possibly the most complex animated character ever. It’s a caper and comedy with lots of interesting science tidbits, but ultimately Finding Dory is a rallying cry to overcome all obstacles and a touching tale about the unbreakable bonds of family.

The 16:9 1080p presentation is exquisitely pure, depicting often photorealistic animation almost perfectly. The eye expects ringing in shots of deep, murky water hit with diffused sunlight, but there is virtually none to be found. Textures and intricate shading effects are breathtaking. Dory was produced in 3D, and the scenes of fish floating in crystal-clear (read: invisible) water are quite convincing. But then that empty space is brought to life by eddies of twinkling flotsam, enough to dazzle without distracting. Panes of smudged glass throughout the park lend further dramatic realism.

The world from a fish’s point of view is quite different from our own, and the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1-channel soundtrack goes a long way toward selling it. There are pleasant surprises such as the singing voices of the stingray migration wafting gently across the soundfield, while the dangers of the touch pool are even more terrifying thanks to the keen manipulation of the surrounds and bass. The swirly swish of swimming fish is utilized with admirable restraint.

This four-disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition also includes a 2D Blu-ray, a Blu-ray platter of extras, a DVD, plus a Disney Movies Anywhere Digital Copy. The lone 3D extra is the Pixar short “Piper,” which accompanied Dory theatrically. But this set is packed with featurettes, special animation loops that turn the TV into an aquarium, almost an hour of deleted scenes (counting the introductions by director Andrew Stanton), and an excellent commentary helmed by Stanton. The brand-new short “Marine Life Interviews” charmingly ties into the feature film.

Blu-Ray 3D
Studio: Disney, 2016
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
LengthL: 97 mins.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill