hbbio

Finding Nemo is just an average animation movie. Unlike its predecessors, it's aimed only at kids; the plot is very thin. I watched this just a day after Miyazaki's Spirited Away, and Finding Nemo pales by comparison. I find this movie particularily overrated and I would still recommend it for kids.

This movie has its artistic qualities. But, it is not definitely its purpose. Richet is an extremist obsessed by revolution. He tried to make a film inviting young viewers in "banlieues" to put everything on fire. For instance, cops are constantly portrayed as racist and violent, and are called enemies from beginning till end. The script tries to explain how their revolt is justified, and that true violence is the only way to escape their problems. The climax is the end: after a cop coldly kills a teenager, all his friends start to break public phones, burn cars, until a whole police unit come for the "final fight". So you might watch it to see how far violence goes, but it is dangerous to see for the minds it was made for. Richet could be sued for hate incitement.

I had not read the books, so I can only judge the movie itself. It's technically well done: great cast, effects, and excellent directing. There is a good balance between action scenes and more sentimental scenes. I would just have one comment: this movie is highly "conventional" and shows no originality. It's one of the 10 best sci-fi ever but I don't think it deserves #1 on imdb. Movies like 7 Samurai, other classics or in totally different styles Pulp fiction or even CTHD have a greater aura than LOTR! Overall 8/10.