#4- Finding Nemo (4 of 10)

Is Finding Nemo a good film? Upon my most recent viewing of it, I would say no, it's cliche and uninteresting. But on recollection of the first time I saw it, I'd have to say I used to have a better impression of the film. I think much of the enjoyment of the film was in its novelty.

In the movie the protagonist, Marlin, loses his son, Nemo. Through the trials they both face to try to find each other their character flaws are resolved and they live happily ever after.

One of the main attractions of the film was its animation. It was one of the first films to use the bubbly and plastic look that was ever so prevalent in the film. All the bright colors where pleasing to look at, at first but after seeing the film a couple of times it becomes like wallpaper and you realize that there's not a whole lot to the movie, save its bubbly graphics.

As for the plot, I have to say that I'm no fan, but others seem to like it. It's pretty obvious from the beginning that Marlin has issues with letting his son go, and as the film progresses we see that he gradually overcomes that fear. For example, when in he's about be eaten by a whale and his friend, Dory, tells him to let go he refuses and uses Nemo's name. This is one way of developing a character, although it certainly isn't subtle.

While I found most the characters flat, Gill, a fish in an aquarium whom Nemo meets, did appear to have some depth. Gill was captured from the sea and throughout the movie expressed his desire to return to it. Gill has an injury that is never explained. Later in the movie Gill sacrifices himself to help Nemo escape. If an animated fish can truly have an interesting  personality then Gill did.

In the end, I'd say Finding Nemo was an insubstantial film, and does not bare close inspection. It is however amusing and heart warming if one isn't looking foe a movie that will really cause to think.