Finding Nemo (2003)

Directed by Andrew Stanton. Alexander Gould, Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe. Pixar/Disney.

From a National Catholic Register review

By Steven D. Greydanus

Pixar’s fifth computer-animated film is another gem, a deeply affecting, stunningly animated father-son fish story that that not only features the first onscreen Pixar dad, but actually focuses on the parent-child relationship rather than seeing the child in relation to some surrogate adult-figure such as Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz or Monsters, Inc.’s Mike and Sully.

Even more remarkably, papa clownfish Marlin (Albert Brooks) remains sympathetically and positively depicted even though young Nemo is reasonably frustrated by Marlin’s overprotectiveness, unlike, e.g., fellow undersea dad King Triton (The Little Mermaid), who was basically a frustrating obstacle for Ariel to overcome. Marlin’s overprotectiveness is actually quite understandable: In an early Bambi-like tragedy, a predator devours Nemo’s mother and hundreds of his unhatched siblings, leaving even Nemo partly crippled. (Marlin and his mate’s lovingly protective concern for the clearly visible, embryonic fries in their translucent eggs is strikingly resonant for pro-life viewers.)

When Nemo’s willfulness results in his being snatched far away from his father, there seems no hope of their being reunited. As events unfold, though, Nemo comes to see his father in a whole new light, while Marlin learns to give Nemo room to grow and face his own challenges. Dare I admit I cried throughout the second half?

Animated high excitement and menace; parental separation theme. Could be frightening to sensitive youngsters.