by Danielle Dames

Created on: April 22, 2009

Finding Nemo is an animated movie delight that will entertain the entire family. Clownfish the world over gained celebrity status riding on the back of this animated adventure, with little Nemo the cutest Clownfish of all.

The undersea adventure begins when Nemo decides to venture farther out into the deep blue than his father will allow, where he is promptly caught as an exotic specimen. Ending up on display in a Dentist's fishtank in far off Australia, the story sees Nemo's father set out to search for him and the movie tells the tale of all the effort that goes into Finding Nemo.

A family movie looks to be that - true entertainment for all ages, and Finding Nemo pulls this task off with ease. Using well-known actors to provide the voices for the fishy characters, older family members are engaged and engrossed, whilst the magical story and vibrant underwater world draw in even the littlest viewer.

It is a tale with morals and values, stressing the importance of courage, friendship and family. In managing to tell the story without resorting to the gratuitous violence that still permeates other family movies under the guise of action and adventure, it is a refreshing movie experience. Rather, the audience is treated to comedy and suspense and a classic theme - returning home.

Other concepts were subtle but successfully - with conservation and environmental issues such as pollution introduced and carried throughout the film.

The animation used cutting edge technology in the production of the movie, which was released in 2003 and the results still delight to this day. The animators at Pixar Animation Studios were expected to scuba dive as part of the preparation and production. This enabled them to understand how light is reflected underwater, and to see the interaction of the ocean's inhabitants for themselves. The experience then translated beautifully onto screen through their realistic portrayal of Nemo's world.

Finding Nemo was written and directed by Andrew Stanton, who also created the hugely successful WALL-E. Featuring an A-list cast of character voices supplied by the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Eric Bana, Albert Brooks and William Dafoe, it was a hit for both Disney and Pixar Animation as their highest grossing feature to date. With a budget of $94 million and making over $70 million in its very first weekend then grossing well over $860 million to date, the film is a huge success by any standards.

In 2008 it was honored by the Americal Film Institute, taking a place in the top 10 of the greatest Animated Pictures, and also includes both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in its collection of honors.

Finding Nemo is a G-rated animated feature that deserves a place in your movie collection regardless of your age. Its innovative, fresh and fun story, with engaging characters and hilarious adventures will keep kids of all ages engrossed for the length of the film.

Finding Nemo

Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios

Written and Directed by Andrew Stanton

Released: May 2003

Rated: G

Run time: 100 minutes

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