Further Thoughts on Finding Dory 1. Marlin is still a jerk. Seriously, after all he went through in the first film, wouldn't you expect his outlook on life to change a bit? He was the the talk of the reef- you can't ask for more than that! Yet, after just one incident early on in the film- just one, he snaps. I mean, seriously? You'd expect him to be calm and concise, but he just lets it all out! The only reason this happens is to advance the plot! So, that gives him the Scrooge of the Year award! Yay.
2. Fan Service Galore! This film references the first one too much- I understand when it is necessary to the plot, but constant references other than an Easter egg or two are too much! Not to mention, they still continue past the credits- leaving some horrifying questions about the fate of the Tank Gang. Which brings us to our next point..
3. Too many unanswered questions. So, why do we not know more about Hank? I mean, we only get a brief sentence or two about why he hates the ocean and wants to go to Cleveland. 5 more minutes of character development would've done wonders with this film. Also, how do Marlin, Dory, and Nemo go from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the California coast so fast? The turtles could only carry them so long. Why would Hank drive the truck into the ocean when he clearly knows the environmental consequences of doing so? Why does nobody notice what goes on among the fish for much of the film? And how do any of the main characters survive in several kinds of water? Maybe I am overanalyzing this. But that still does not excuse...
4. The last 15 minutes are mind boggling. This made many people go over the edge when watching this film? The truck driving scenes are either ballsy and brilliant or stupid and unnecessary. I think it is both. I mean, my goodness! You know you messed up when you look toward your mom sitting next to you in the theater and see that she has this weird look on her face. Yeesh! And finally...
5. The film tries too hard at times. There is such a thing as trying too hard, you know. After the success of Inside Out, Pixar wanted to replicate the success of that film's emotional pull. Except in this case, they didn't. There are many scenes which try way too hard to make you cry or laugh! Like when Marlin tells Dory off early on. Didn't that happen in the last film already?
So there you have it- my further thoughts on Finding Dory. Now if you don't mind, I will be preparing myself for Independence Day: Resurgence and The BFG...