How does Finding Nemo fit in the Pixar Theory?
What is Finding Nemo about?
Finding Nemo is the most financially successful film Pixar has made in
terms of box office revenue. It’s also the Pixar movie that everyone fell in
love with, as soon as it was released. When it comes to the Pixar Theory, this
the only film in the timeline that showcases what makes up most of the world:
the oceans. Specifically, Finding Nemo takes place in The Great Barrier reef
and Sydney. While the last few films have focused on machines, Finding Nemo is
all about animals. Let’s review the plot. The movie starts by introducing us to
Marlin and Coral. Similar to how humans behave, the couple hopes to provide a
safe home for their kids. The movie begins sadly however, as the family is
attacked by a barracuda. This leaves only Marlin and one offspring left and
Marlin names the fish Nemo, the name Coral suggested before the incident.
After a few years pass and we see Nemo as a young fish, ready for his first day of school. The concept of a fish school is instantly interesting to viewers who are familiar with the term, a school of fish. In Finding Nemo, school consists of older fish teaching the young fish the basics of the ocean. They learn about the environment, the dangers of the sea and various aquatic zones. This is one of the first signs we see of an organized society. Not only are there schools but there are, traffic lights, highways and neighborhoods. Let’s get back to the story. After a series of event that leave Nemo feeling overwhelmed from his father’s protection, Nemo swims to open water and is captured by a human diver. Marlin races for the diver but is too late as the diver escapes in a nearby boat. Marlin then sets off on a grand adventure to save his son, who is imprisoned in a fish tank in Sydney. |
Marlin and Nemo's adventuresAlong the way, Marlin meets a fish called Dory. Dory decides to tag
along with Marlin, on his adventure to save his son. During the journey, Dory
displays many unexpected skills that set her apart. The most apparent one is
her lack of short-term memory. The only thing that helps her remember is the
friendship she has with Marlin. When Dory and Marlin part at the end of the
movie, leaves Dory confused and she goes back to her old, forgetful self.
Dory shows the ability to read, something that Marlin cannot. It’s implied that fish isn’t an ability most fish have, so why can Dory read? Later we also learn that she can speak whale, a skill that other fish don’t seem to have. We don’t have enough evidence that determines if these abilities are related to her memory loss but Jon Negroni thinks that her forgetfulness is a trade-off for these abilities. Dory isn’t the only peculiar fish who is acting against their instincts. Early in the movie, we meet a group of sharks that have no interest of eating fish. However when the sharks’ leader, Bruce smells blood, he goes back to his original tendencies. Overall though, this anti-primal behavior is another sign that animals are becoming more like humans. We even see the pelican, Nigel, caring more about reuniting Marlin with his son, than eating Marlin and Dory. That’s way more human than you would expect from a pelican. Humans are considered the bad guys in Finding Nemo, as they are the reason Marlin has to go on a perilous adventure to find his son. Even sharks joke about humans. One shark says, “They think they own everything. Another shark even makes a comment about how the diver must be American if he did such a terrible thing! The last obstacle in Marlin’s journey just so happens to be when humans catch Dory in a fishing net. Nemo and Marlin command the fish in the net to swim down together, to free the fish and it works. This proves that fish are strong enough to stand against humans. We also cannot forget about Nemo’s adventures in the dentist’s fish tank. Nemo’s entire side of the story focuses on the tank gang’s attempts to escape their prison and a girl who treats fish terribly. These captive fish are also very intelligent, as evidenced by their advanced commentary concerning the dentist’s methods during his various operations. Peach the starfish can even read, like Dory. |
The Facts/Evidence
- Fish have high I.Q.s, resulting in organised schools, freeways and networks.
- Fish become aggravated and begin the rebel against humans.