Finding Dory Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Today it’s all about the new Finding Nemo sequel with the Finding Dory Movie Review | Safe for Kids? #FindingDory – an honest parents guide and mom review for kids with PG rating breakdown. No spoilers! This post is sponsored by Disney for the #FindingDoryEvent, all opinions are my own

Finding Dory Movie Review | Safe for Kids? #FindingDory

When you’ve been waiting 13 years for the sequel to your all-time favorite Disney Pixar film, the bar gets set pretty darn high. You begin to worry if all of the hype for this one movie moment could ever meet your expectations…or be the big sequel failure of the year.

Parents, this is the Finding Dory Movie Review you’ve been looking for. Is it safe for your kids to see? Is the story appropriate for your children? Was the wait worth it? And what about that PG rating? Should we stay past the end credits? Come check out a full and honest Finding Dory Movie Review from a mom of 2 young kids – no spoilers, please.

The Visuals

When I look back on what I thought of the Finding Nemo animation when it first came out, I mean WOW. The water, the colors – I remember how floored I was at Pixar’s skills. Fast forward to Finding Dory, I didn’t think the picture could get any better. It did. 13 years did the animation “good.” So much richer, more vibrant and perfectly texturized, I found myself whispering an audible “wow” when I saw how life-like the water is. The animation alone is enough to leave your children in awe and wonder.

***Update: Just saw Finding Dory in 3D last night. While I normally RAVE about 3D for Disney movies, after seeing this movie both in 3D and 2D, I’d have to say that I liked the 2D better. The 3D really took away from the new animation techniques they used to enhance the colors and the water, which I very much enjoyed. Even the darker scenes seemed almost too dark watching in 3D. So if you’re wondering whether to slap those glasses on your kids’ faces…I would say don’t waste the money.

The Story

It’s been one year since Finding Nemo. The story follows Dory’s past as she begins to remember things despite her horrible short term memory loss. Flashbacks of family and a home draw Dory to find her parents and things about herself – including key Dory features like how she speaks whale and where the phrase “Just Keep Swimming” came from. This leads Marlin, Nemo and Dory on a new adventure filled with action, new friends – including a near-sighted whale shark, a broken echo-locating beluga whale and a grumpy octopus, and tear-jerking moments.

The teachable themes are apparent. Parenting a child with disabilities. Using and finding your strengths – whatever they may be. Overcoming obstacles. Family – even defining and creating your own family. Love.

***Yes, you will want to stay past the very last second of the end credits. No spoilers, but definitely worth it for the hardcore Nemo fans.

The Piper Short

It’s not a Disney movie without a short attached to it. And this could not be a more perfect match in harmony. Piper follows the sweet story of a baby bird at the beach and learning how to catch clams. The opening scene will have your eyes playing tricks – is it animated or real life? But as always with any Disney short, this one will pull at your heartstrings and have you wishing for a Piper of your own. I’ll be first in line for the toy. Just saying.

That PG Rating

Is Finding Dory kid-friendly and ok for children to see? Not all PG ratings are the same. Movie ratings have shifted so much over the years – teetering between Incredibles 2 intense and Abominable calm. More recently, a shocking Maleficent: Mistress of Evil PG rating really took us for a loop. Finding Dory is rated PG for “mild thematic elements.” But does that mean Finding Dory is safe for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating.

Language. Thankfully, Pixar stays on pace with their other films. No swearing to be found in the deep blue sea.

Adult themes. Very mild mental health issues are touched upon. But since this movie deals with mostly sea creatures instead of humans, the adult themes are very minimal.

Violence/Suspense. Aka there’s a few minutes with a run-in with the scary squid from the trailer. Chase scene, eerie music, creepy eyeball stare – it would certainly be enough to cause a young child to have nightmares. But let me tell you this. It’s short, very short – as in seconds short. Even shorter than the creepy fish of the deep chase scene or the shark scene from Finding Nemo.

What Finding Dory Age Rating Is Recommended?

As a mom that has watched Finding Nemo countless times with my children, I would certainly recommend families to watch this one together. There’s no violence. There’s no death (can we get a BIG hooray for that one?!). There’s no language. But what is there?

FUN. There’s familiar faces. There’s new characters to love. There’s action – lots of it. There’s adventure. There’s humor that’s appropriate for everyone. There’s educational moments (fun facts about sea creatures…YES!). There is DEFINITELY a few signature Disney tear-jerker moments…but they’re all happy. Promise. That Disney PG rating won’t stop my family from seeing the most anticipated Disney Pixar sequel ever.

So if your kids can sit through Finding Nemo for the bazillion-th time – your child will have no problems with this new movie. I will certainly be taking both my 7 year old son and 3 year old daughter (and oh yeah, the husband) to watch this one. Classic. Instant classic.

The Overall

All in all, I loved the story. I loved the message. I loved the hope that Dory continues brings to children. And if you haven’t fallen in love with the most forgetful fish in the ocean, you will now. Be sure to grab your FREE Finding Dory Coloring Sheets, Finding Dory Crafts, Finding Dory Party Ideas and even an adorable Finding Dory Hair Bow to get ready for the BIGGEST sequel event of the year! I hope this Finding Dory Movie Review was helpful for parents wondering whether to take their kids to the summer movie of 2016. Ok, can I watch Finding Dory again now?

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Will you be taking your family to see Finding Dory this summer?

I was invited to attend an all-inclusive Disney press trip in exchange for this post. But don’t be fooled, my love for Disney runs deep. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more parent-friendly movie reviews, recipes, crafts and travel.