Albert Brooks, finely humorous, voices forlorn desperation and disbelief with soul, helping this instant classic do for fathers what "Bambi" accomplished for moms. Ellen DeGeneres continues to impress me; she makes the short term memory-plagued Dory -- potentially, this generation's Thumper -- sympathetic, silly, and unforgettable in a textbook melding of celebrity-influenced character animation. These are the signature roles for which these performers may be most fondly remembered.
Engrossed in the action, I felt this film is the adventurous and joyful equivalent to Walt's "Pinocchio," the pride of all animated features -- and that was before I witnessed the unforeseen and ironic whale sequence splashing across the screen.
Rarely do I rave about movies, but, unquestionably, I give "Finding Nemo" five starfishes. And when the DVD release arrives, I'll be fetching the boy home, too.
