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visuals and hilarious fun for the whole family--Disney/Pixar's
latest feature film, Finding Nemo, is really quite
spectacular. It's not without its sad and frightening
moments, though. In fact, the plot of the movie is
based on the opening tragedy in which Marlin and his wife (a
clownfish couple) are excited expectant parents when a shark
kills Marlin's wife. Of all the eggs, Nemo is the sole
survivor; and, of
course, Marlin is an over-protective father to the sweet
little fish. Marlin's fears are realized when Nemo is
captured by a fishing net. Although Marlin is a fearful
clownfish, he braves the big scary ocean to find his son,
with plenty of help from a very forgetful fish friend he
meets along the way, Dory.
Searching for Nemo
Disney
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Finding
Nemo is teeming with warmth and humor, the latter served up
in large portions by Dory, who is voiced by Ellen DeGeneres.
For most kids who have seen the movie, some of the most
memorable segments were scenes in which Dory speaks
"whale". Dory and Marlin are a delightful odd
couple, with their differences best summed up in a scene in
which they are caught in a whale--Marlin exclaims,
"it's half full!" and Dory sees it as half empty,
a fun twist on the glass half full/half empty concept.
Apart from the
initial tragedy (why do lead characters in so many Disney films
have parents who die?), Finding Nemo is an exceptionally
entertaining, dazzling, and memorable movie.
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~~Finding
Nemo Software Games~~
Two software
programs based on the movie have been released by THQ, and they
are both very noteworthy. Software movie tie-ins don't have the
best of reputations, but Finding Nemo (better for ages 7-9) and
Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun (best for ages 5-8)
are CD-ROMs with considerable merit.
Finding Nemo
features parallel story lines that allow kids to participate in
both the adventures of Nemo in the fish tank and the adventures of
Marlin and Dory as they brave the ocean in search of the little
clownfish. Puzzles, obstacle courses, and scavenger hunts are
featured in this entertaining CD-ROM. Plenty of movie clips are
included, and these will certainly keep children entertained, at
least before the video and DVD come out. They also add context for
the challenges of the game, making the program equally as
appropriate for children who have seen the movie and those who
haven't. See our full review here.
 Finding
Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun doesn't include games
that are ground-breaking or anything of the sort, but the program
is very enjoyable. Beautiful music and entertaining sequences help
spruce up the fun in this game that is better for kids ages
5-8. Children earn movie clips and other rewards as they
play, and they solve simple puzzles. Dory hosts two activities,
both of which are memory games! Of course, the forgetful fish
needs plenty of help from kids.
~~Finding
Nemo Books and Toys~~
Plenty of
books are now available: read-along storybooks, sticker books, and
similar. Naturally, toys based on the movie are available in
scores as well.
Some of the more notable Nemo products available
include:
Leap 1 Book: Finding Nemo
(for owners of the LeapPad learning system); the adorable
plush,
Finding Nemo Basic Plush: Nemo; a plush toy in the form of Squirt, an
especially cute little supporting character,
Nemo Feature Plush: Surfer Talkin' Squirt; and a colorful sticker book by
Dorling Kindersley,
Finding Nemo Sticker Book.
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