~ [b]Finding
Nemo - An Epic for the Ages[/b] ~
Why do we love [i]Finding
Nemo[/i] so much? Is it because of its fascinating animated sequences and astounding beauty? Perhaps
it is our love for the sea that causes us to become so entangled and engaged in the watery depths of films such
as this. Or maybe it is simply due to the fact that is a creation of Pixar – that animation studio that has
brought us so much love and heart that we often use words such as “wonderful”, “dedicated”,
and “incredible” to describe it? Or could it just be that we need to dive deeper to discover the true
mysteries of Finding Nemo that make it such a beatific and heart-warming
production…
The Story:
A father clownfish, Marlin, goes on an epic journey to recover
his lost son, Nemo.
I think the first time I watched Finding Nemo, I
thought, “Wow – what an engaging story. How does Pixar do it?”. Yes, how
do they do it? How does Pixar create films that are so pleasing to watch?
One of the reasons, I believe, is familiarity. Having lived with my dad –
who is a veteraned animator – over the years, I’ve learned that, in order for someone to make a story that is
both successful and unique, he or she has to invent characters that mean something or other to the audience.
Our everyday situations and experiences can be manifested and discovered by an imaginary drawing, as well. An
animator has a choice as to whether or not he wants his creation to feel sorrow, humiliation, joy, anger, or
shock. His character’s personality and life-style is also in his hands and mind, for a created character has no
choice but to succumb to whatever is handed to him or her. These traits and such that a character develops can be
felt by us in many ways, and they are often personal and/or can be related to.
Let us take, for example,
the character of Nemo. He is a young child, still new to the outside world and its many hidden surprises. Small
children, such as those around the ages of six or ten, are able to relate to Nemo and his adventures in many
ways. They, like Nemo, are eager to explore whatever comes their way; however, once they get too close to danger,
such as when Nemo was captured by the diver, they retreat to their first source of comfort: their parents. Many
young children can certainly relate to a fear of separation from their family, a fear that Nemo unwillingly
experienced in the film.
Another excellent example of an understanding between a human and character
would be the father, Marlin, and his anxiety and fret throughout most of the film. Time and again, my father has
explained to me how he can relate to Marlin on many levels. What would he do if one of his children (my sisters
and I) were taken away from him? He would most certainly be in a state of depression and anxiety, such as Marlin
was when Nemo was taken out of his hands.
This human-character relationship is one reason why the story
of Finding Nemo fits perfectly, like a jig-saw puzzle. Andrew Stanton himself said
that the basis for the plot of this film was his relationship with his young son. His overprotectiveness of his
son is shown through Marlin and his overprotectiveness of Nemo.
Many other
reasons why the story of Finding Nemo is so beautifully tied together is because of
heart, time, and patience.
Heart - In order to make a successful novel, one
has to enjoy doing what he is doing and have a passion for it as well. I have learned, from experience, that it
is almost impossible to make a story the way you want it to turn out if you are not putting your very heart and
soul into it. Mood can turn down the story; however, it can also create it. When writing my
Ratatouille story, I would type out exciting or enjoyable parts of the story
only when I felt in a happy mood. I did the same when I wanted to write out a sad
part of the story; I would wait until I was feeling depressed. It takes a lot longer for me to write stories this
way, but the result almost always turns out the way I want it to…from the heart.
Time - Because Pixar never rushes. Ever wonder why it takes up to four or
five years for them to create a film? It’s because they take their precious minutes and turn them into scenes
that you will never forget. They take their time, and time is something that can’t be
changed.
Patience - Patience equals results, and results equal success.
[b:0ef7cb9dd
c]The Characters[/b]:
As explained in detail above, the relationships between the audience and
the characters they are viewing play a major role in the story of any film – and this includes
Finding Nemo.
The characters are everything, besides the story. Yet,
compared to the story, they are what ties an entire film together. Often times, the success of a movie depends
upon the actions and performance of its characters. If Marlin and Nemo had been portrayed as nothing more than
side characters, how much less “cared for” would the other characters have been? Would you have cared?
One thing I love about Pixar is that, even though they sometimes get “big names” to star in
their films (ie., Tom Hanks, William Dafoe, and Ian Holm), they don’t go overboard. In other words, they don’t
rely on their voice actors to make the film. They don’t get the popular and famous to contribute to their
productions just so people will recognize them and go to see the movie just because those particular actors are
in it.
But why do we love these animated, talking fish, specifically? Why is it that we find the
character of Dory so intriguing and enjoyable to follow throughout the film? Why do some of us sympathize with
Marlin on certain levels? Why is Crush’s personality so engaging and appealing to us? We love various characters
because we can, as I stated before, relate to them on so many levels…
[b]Marlin is the
typical father[/b]: He cares for his child/children and does his best to keep them out of danger.
Nemo is the adventurous child: He wants to get out and explore the world without
restraint from his parent(s).
Dory is the care-free individual: She is something
that we all want to relate to. She cares about nothing, yet loves everyone and takes
things as they come. She lives her life one day at a time, which is probably how we should all
live.
Gill is the stead-fast survivor: He’s been through it all and isn’t
afraid of the next challenge. His motto is “never give up”, and he usually sticks to it.
Crush is the everyday hippie/dude/surfer: Life is fun, and that’s how it should
be. Why worry about little (or serious) things if you can work your way past it and solve the problem? In order
to get past a barrier, you have to conquer your fear of it first.
Etc., etc., etc. And the list goes
on…
[b:0ef7cb9dd
c]The Complex/Setting[/b]:
What a wonderful environment to pitch your idea in and upon: the
ocean. Endless possibilities abound within that one little word, and the results of those possibilites manifest
themselves in the film of Finding Nemo.
Researchers for the film went on
field trips: to various oceans and aquariums. What they found is what you see in [i]Finding
Nemo[/i]. The life, the mysteries, and the beauty is all what the animators put into the production.
Those waves and lighting effects appear life-like because they, in a sense,
are really there. The heart of Finding Nemo is partly
in the scenery of the film, which is quite easy to see when you view the final result.
[b:0ef7cb9dd
c]The Music[/b]:
It amazes me when people walk out of a theater and remember the sights, the
story, and the characters of a movie, but not the score…
Thomas Newman did something with that film: He
made it alive. Each scene fits perfectly with its musical counterpart. Every apprehensive moment and
self-satisfying experience is made possible by the backround score in the distance.
I think we must also
give credit to a film’s music for helping to create part of the heart of a production. For without it, what
would a suspensefull moment be? How would a devastating result be felt? And how could a person more intimately
relate to the characters?
[b:0ef7cb9dd
c]Wrap-Up[/b]:
Why do I love this film so much? To tell you the factual truth, I don’t know
for certain. Perhaps it is because it was written by a true storyteller, which is becoming more and more rare
these days in the world of feature films. Maybe the story is engaging to the point where it used to be impossible
for me to not watch Finding Nemo at least once a day.
Or perhaps it’s just the fact that I truely love Pixar Animation Studio for its animators, its heart, and its
passion.
In any case, Finding Nemo will still remain at the top of my list
of favorite films to watch. As of today, my Nemo-obsession is reaching its peak. My tally is as thus:
Number of Viewings: Sixty-four (64)
[b]Number of Nemo-Related
Items[/b]: Fifty to one hundred (50-100)
[b]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/b:0e
f7cb9ddc]
You can help contribute to this wonderful film today! Show you care
by becoming a certified member of the Finding Nemo Usergroup. Simply click on the
Usergroup link at the top of this Pixar Planet forum board page, select
Finding Nemo from the list, and register to become a member of the group.
And don’t forget to visit these websites that contain dozens of [i]Finding
Nemo[/i] facts and fun:
– Mitch
