Just Keep Swimming: Finding Dory a movie review

With summer here we're enjoying a lot more outdoor time with the minions, but also trying to beat the heat with a couple of indoor treats, one of which included a recent trip to the movies to check out Finding Dory.  Here's what we thought.

Image Courtesy of Teaser Trailer

What's in it for the Kids?
Ever wonder what happened to your favourite characters from Finding Nemo?  This moving takes place a year after the original as Dory sets off on an adventure to find herself and her parents.  This movie is good for little ones who might get scared easily as this film doesn't really have any "bad guys" to be afraid of, save for one brief "scary" under the sea encounter an early scene.

What's in it for the Adults?
A fairly entertaining walk down memory lane with fan favourite Dory the fish and an introduction of some fantastic new characters including Dory's parents (voiced by Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton), Ty Burrell as Bailey and Kaitlin Olson as Destiny.  The real show stopper here was Ed O'Neil voicing Hank the surly but kind hearted octopus. Some of the aquarium scenes were stunning in a way that Pixar has become known for.

Best Parts of the Movie
This movie doesn't slow down and kept both minions attention (particularly Jack's) the entire time. Keeping my little boy still, mostly silent (there were still some questions asked throughout) and wildly entertained for an entire movie is a feat in itself.  Jack fell in love with Hank and is still talking about a (spoiler alert) scene where he drives a stolen truck.

Worst Parts of the Movie
This movie plot is a little similar to the original.  I may have had too much of an "adult" hat on as a viewer, as the film got my mind wandering and to some pretty dark places in terms with thoughts on dementia, memory loss and aging.  I really spent a lot of time thinking about Dory's loneliness and things got a little too meta for me.  I was a little disappointed that they didn't bring back Bruce the Shark, but at the same time I could see that joke getting old (the kids didn't notice his absence).

Overall Rating
I would rate this movie 4/5.  It's watchable for parents, and fantastic for kids, particularly if you have younger kids (aged three to seven or eight) who loved the original.  While it didn't blow me away, the kids loved it and it's something that I won't get too annoyed with playing on repeat by the minions when it comes out on DVD.

To read my review of The Good Dinosaur click here.

To read my review of Zootopia click here.

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Everything is Awesome!

Earlier this year I posted my New Years Resolutions (nitty gritty details here).  I figured what was the point of posting them if I wasn't going to update on whether or not I've kept them up.  This is my Three Month Resolution Check In:


Read more stories to Molly and Jack
I would say we read more to the minions now than we ever have, this is mainly because they're more interested in story time now that they're older (and in stalling out bed time).  Most nights we read two to three stories before bed.  We also have been storing some of Molly and Jack's books in locations other than the nursery to encourage non-bed time story telling. Molly's insistence on reading multiple books on the potty has also increased story time at an alarming rate.  Right now Molly's favourite book is Five Little Monkeys  while Jack likes Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (which is also a book about monkeys)

Read More Books for Me
In 2013 I only read about 10 books for pleasure.  So far this year I have read four and a half books which puts me on pace to read 18 this year, nearly double last year's grand total.

Here's what I've read so far:
The Mother of All Meltdowns - Various bloggers explore their biggest freak-outs post parenthood.

Catcher in The Rye - In February Chris and I watched a documentary on Salinger.  Chris couldn't believe that I hadn't read Catcher in The Rye.  I think because of how much I like to talk about all the books I read when I was a lit major he assumes that I have read all of the classics...After I reminded him that my focus was in Canadian Literature and not Americana he bought me a copy of Catcher for Valentines day.  I'm glad I read Catcher, but I think I was too old to get the most out of it.

Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? - Musings from Mindy Kaling on her career, life perspective and being successful despite not being blonde, six feet tall and 90 pounds.

The Rosie Project - A coworker recommended that I read this book because she knows that I like the Big Bang Theory and the protagonist reminded her of Sheldon Cooper.

Photo from the High Line New York City on our long weekend without the minions

Have More Date Nights With Chris:
We've made an effort to schedule more quality time just the two of us. Here's what we've managed since January:

Dates to go and see the Lego Movie (Everything IS AWESOME) and The Muppets Most Wanted (review here)

Valentines Date at home: we sat on the couch, cuddled, split a bottle of prosecco and watched The Notebook on TV, it was great!

After our group ice fishing trip was cancelled because of weather conditions Chris and I took advantage of our free afternoon, took a nap and had dinner and a beer at the local pub before picking up the kids from my parents place.

Be Less Strict with Toddler TV Time
We've incorporated a family Sunday night movie night where we let the kids watch about half of a movie before story time to give them a little more screen time and we have also made exceptions when they're sick or the weather is crummy.  Right now the minion's favourite flick is Finding Nemo and Jack's impression of Bruce the shark is hilarious.

Book More Time For Me
It's so easy to get stuck in the martyr trap as parents.  I am a better parent to Molly and Jack, and better wife when I make time for me.  Since the New Year I have treated myself to 1 manicure pedicure, had a handful of coffee dates with friends and implemented a bi-monthly brunch date with a fellow mom friend. I have managed to get my hair cut twice in 2014, but have yet to indulge in a massage, which is on my to do list soon.

How did you do on your New Years Resolutions?

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