Finding Dory - 3 smiles

Although "Finding Dory" swims through familiar waters, it's still an enjoyable summer movie. The themes, the importance of friends and family and the value of tolerance, are the same. And the basic narrative, a fish making a long journey to find family, replicates that of Finding Nemo. Dory (voice by Ellen DeGeneres), the good-natured blue tang with short-term memory problems, was a supporting character to Albert Brooks' clownfish Marlin. This time she's the lead with Marlin and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) providing support. Despite her memory issues, Dory realizes she once had a mother (Diane Keaton) and father (Eugene Levy) and a few random memories sends her off to find them, with Marlin and Nemo in pursuit. Her quest takes her to a marine institute where she reconnects with old friend Destiny, the nearsighted whale shark (Kaitlin Olsen) and makes a bargain with Hank the octopus (Ed O'Neill).

"Finding Dory" has a solid emotional core, which is what makes Pixar movies so good. We become invested in Dory's journey. And even when things become a bit silly (like the chase scene at the end), we stay engaged. The best Pixar movies work on two levels - one for adults and one for children; Up is a perfect example. "Dory" works more for kids, but that's not to say adults won't enjoy the movie. And visually, this is one of Pixar's strongest offerings.

Note: "Finding Dory" is paired with "Piper," an animated short that will be an entrant in the Academy Award Best Animated Short category. "Piper," a sure winner, is about an adorable baby sandpiper. It's a story told without words and it delivers wonderful messages, like we can learn from each other and that everyone has something to offer. "Piper" will become a classic. Be sure not to miss it.