Our childhood favourite is finally back.

Almost exactly 13 years after the premiere of the iconic Finding Nemo, we've been #blessed with the follow up, Finding Dory.

(Slight spoilers ahead). 
In this one, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is on a search for her parents, whom she (thinks) she lost when she was young. Her memories start to come back to her, so she knows she needs to go to a 'fish hospital' to find them. In the process, she gets separated from Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence), who must in turn find her. 

What follows is a series of events that introduce us to new, hysterical characters, and teach us new life lessons. 

The movie is so sweet and heartfelt, and as with any Pixar movie there was definitely one (or two) times where a tear is shed. The new characters were perfect, and each funny in their own way. Standouts were Hank the octopus (Ed O'Neill) and Destiny the whale (Kaitlin Olson). And of course, Sigourney Weaver.

One of the things these animated movies do best is make the humour accessible to both adults and children, making it the perfect movie to see with your kids (or with your friends who are basically children). 

As always, the animation is on another level. One thing I kept hearing people discuss afterwards was how it sometimes seemed as if it was a mix of animation and reality because there is just NO way that they can make animation that real (ps. they can, it's just insane). 

My only issue was that by the end it felt a little long and convoluted. While it was all fun to watch, there were a few times near the end where you were checking your watch to see when it would be done. 

Other than that, it was a fantastic movie, and one you'd have to have a cold, dead heart to not love at least a little bit. 

​8/10

One of the most important lessons from the film is how it's important to feel sadness. We all try to bottle up the 'bad' feelings as much as we can, but without allowing those feelings to come through we can't move forward with our lives. 

It was truly magical to go to a 9pm show, where, at 24, I was the youngest person in the audience and the whole room was laughing like kids throughout the movie. It was such a joyous experience (with some prerequisite Pixar tears thrown in there). 

It is the best animated film I've seen in a long time, and the best part is - there are no obnoxious songs to get stuck in your head afterwards. 

Each voice was paired perfectly with the different emotions (with the talents of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black). Writer/Director Pete Docter has created a true masterpiece, and one that is perfect for honestly any age group.

The feel good movie of the year that reminds you that feeling good isn't all that life is about.

10/10