by Michael R.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Rated G, 1 hour 40 minutes
Finding Nemo is an animated film that revolves around the journey of a father clownfish who embarks on a quest to find his lost son. The film begins with a prologue in which Marlin, a clownfish, loses his mate Coral and almost all of their eggs in a vicious barracuda attack. Only one egg survives, and Marlin names him Nemo. Due to this traumatic event, Marlin becomes overprotective of Nemo, which often leads to conflicts between father and son. On Nemo’s first day of school, Marlin accompanies him but is anxious about his son’s safety. Despite Marlin’s warnings, Nemo swims out to a boat and is captured by a diver. Marlin immediately sets out on a determined and perilous journey to find Nemo. Along the way, he encounters Dory, a forgetful but kind-hearted blue tang fish who offers to help him. Meanwhile, Nemo finds himself in a fish tank in a dentist’s office located in Sydney, Australia. He becomes friends with the tank’s inhabitants, including a Moorish idol fish named Gill. The fish in the tank devise an escape plan, to help Nemo reunite with his father. Marlin and Dory’s journey is filled with numerous challenges and is filled with intriguing characters. They eventually make their way to the Sydney Harbor, where they get entangled in a fishing net. Meanwhile, Nemo’s escape plan is set into motion, leading to a series of comical mishaps. Ultimately, Nemo manages to escape the fish tank and reunites with Marlin, just as the two are caught in the fishing net. However, with the help of Nigel and their fish friends, they break free from the net. The film ends with a heartwarming reunion as Marlin learns to let go of his overprotectiveness, and Nemo gains more independence. The bond between father and son is strengthened as they return to their home in the coral reef. Overall, Finding Nemo is a great family film that I would highly recommend to families looking for a great entertainment movie for their children.