7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories. Remembering something about "the jewel of Morro Bay, California", accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, she sets out to find her family. She arrives at the Monterey Marine Life Institute, where she meets Bailey, a white beluga whale; Destiny, a whale shark; and Hank, an octopus, who becomes her guide.
Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Hayden RolenceFamily | 100% |
Adventure | 91% |
Animation | 84% |
Comedy | 57% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
English: DTS-HD HR 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (3 BDs, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It's fair to say that no other studio in film history can boast the track record of excellence that Pixar has put together. Sure the output is minuscule compared to the giants that have been around since, or near, the medium's beginnings, but for sheer quality of product on a consistent basis -- particularly in this day and age of depressing junk cinema, sequels, remakes, and a dearth of creativity in general -- there's nobody better. Add a studio that's always on the cutting edge of digital technology and capable of weaving together meaningful life insight, tangible drama, effortless humor, and charm into practically every film, and Pixar stands as the champion of modern cinema done right, and regularly. Finding Dory, which has released 13 years after Finding Nemo (but takes place only one year later in movie time), is another quality product from the studio, but it's also, arguably, the most derivative picture in the Pixar canon. Borrowing heavily from the first film and only slowly finding its own identity through a series of fun yet slightly stale adventures and character expansions, the film works well enough as simple entertainment with a heart and purpose, but it's not the beacon of creativity that has made the studio into Hollywood's rightly heralded breath of fresh air.
Finding Dory's Blu-ray 3D presentation is decent enough, but it lacks the dynamic "wow" factor of the best 3D releases. The movie plays fairly flat with a few exceptions. There never seems to be much of a real, identifiable sense of space when characters swim against the ocean backdrop. It's more a flat plane than it is a shapely environment, and there's not a hugely noticeable sense of space even between characters offset from one another, never mind their background. Some of the scenes that take place on dry land fare a little better, but underwater shots, despite a decent sense of depth in some larger expanses, are quite disappointing. Even character shape, as varied as many of them are, don't register much real sense of volume. A few naturally occurring underwater objects, however, do prove a little more shapely. Some of the better moments come when water's surface is visible, whether from above or below. The 22- and 35-minute marks are home to some of the better 3D scenes in the movie; Marlin and Nemo are right on the surface, sometimes below, sometimes above, and particularly in the above shots there's a nice sense of water stretch into and out of the TV; it looks like it wants to soak the area in front of the screen. Underwater bubbles also appears to float well back into, and a bit out in front of, the screen. Colors are a little less dynamic in 3D, with the image pushing a shade darker, which is most problematic in bleaker underwater environments. Detail, however, holds true and presents with plenty of complexity on characters and environments alike.
Finding Dory swims onto Blu-ray with a well engineered and entertaining DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation boasts excellent balance for all elements. Music plays with the expected level of clarity, width across the front, envelopment into the rears, and depth at the bottom end in support. The backs never dominate the proceedings but add a seamless wraparound effect that accentuates the score's finer points and popular tunes' depth. Action effects are commendably detailed and weighty when necessary. Bass is never shy, but never prolific, finding a nice, natural aggression that compliments the movie without pushing so hard as to scare younger viewers. One of the best moments comes relatively early on when coral, er, choral music offers a heavy but detailed push through the stage. Light ambient effects are nicely integrated, including, sometimes, that sense of surrounding underwater depth, but the highlight moments come with voices emanating from different parts of the stage, two key examples being early on when a young Dory is asking for help in the search for her parents and throughout the second half when Sigourney Weaver's voice pours through loudspeakers. General dialogue enjoys pinpoint clarity and detail throughout the film with natural front-center placement and faultless prioritization.
Finding Dory contains supplements on the primary disc and a second bonus disc. A DVD copy of the film and a Disney digital copy
voucher are also included with purchase. The only supplement on the 3D disc is the short film Piper. All other supplements, including the 2D
Piper, are included on the 2D-only disc.
Disc One:
Finding Dory is superficially derivative, a rather basic animated Adventure film that's frequently not all that dissimilar from the first. It finds its place and success beyond the cruder story details and down within the characters themselves. The film is more a journey of the spirit than it is the body, and with excellent depth of character support complimenting the outer layers, the film plays very well and works as a quality sequel to a great original. Disney's Blu-ray 3D release of Finding Dory is just OK in terms of the 3D presentation; little of it feels truly dynamic or awe-inspiring. Audio is fine, the terrific 2D Blu-ray is included, and the supplements are great. Save a few bucks and buy the 2D instead.
PIXAR
2016
PIXAR
2016
PIXAR | Ultimate Collector's Edition
2016
PIXAR | Gold Holiday Edition
2016
2016
PIXAR / With Bonus Disc and 4 Lithographs
2016
PIXAR
2016
Exclusive Packaging w/ Bonus Disc and 4 Lithograph Cards
2016
PIXAR
2016
2003
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2016
2009
2020
2012
2017
2017
2014
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2017
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2016
2019
2011
2012
2012
2016
2014
Collector's Edition
2015
1990-1991
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2019
2016