Finding_Nemo_Journeys

* The film ‘Finding Nemo’ directed by Andrew Stanton shows the underwater adventure of a father, Marlin, on his quest to find his missing son, Nemo. The film explores how journeys can require a character to step out of their comfort zone, how they can be beneficial if taken with characters who can be helpful to their journey and how past experiences impact a traveler on future journeys. * * The film explores how journeys require a character to take a risk and step out of their comfort zone. This idea is explored throughout the film especially as Nemo begins school. The use of a high camera angle shot in sequence four of the film from Nemo’s perspective looking down towards Marlin, effectively expresses how Nemo is venturing away from the safe environment that he is accustomed to with his father and moving onto explore the unknown. Another example highlighting this idea is through Marlins reluctant attitudes to send Nemo off to school in the same sequence. This is evident when Marlin speaks to the other parents and comments saying, “Well you can’t hold onto them forever can you'” this demonstrates that no matter how much he doesn’t want Nemo to go off to school he cant keep him by his side forever and has to let Nemo grow up and explore the rest of the ocean. These examples both show how in order for a journey to take place a challenge and risk must be overcome. * * Journeys are beneficial if undertaken with characters who can be helpful to their journey such as Dory is, in the film. Throughout the film Dory continues to help Marlin on his quest to find Nemo. She does this through the use of motivational words and advice she gives to Marlin. Examples of these are in chapter ten of the film when Dory is repeatedly singing, “…just keep swimming…” this advice given to Marlin gives him motivation to keep looking for his son. This idea is also represented when Marlin gets frustrated in the film and she gives him advice in order to calm him down "relax, take a deep breath”. This shows Dory’s helpful qualities, although at some times she can be annoying to Marlin and sometimes forgetful, she has helped him in order to continue finding Nemo and encouraging him on his adventure towards Sydney. Hence a helpful character can help a traveler on their journeys. * * The idea that past experiences impact a traveler on future journeys is explored through the film. This idea is effectively conveyed through the use of special effects in the form of a montage in chapter 27 of the film. This montage reflects the adventure that Dory has undertaken and assists her to realise that she has finally found Nemo. The adventure taken by the characters throughout the film shows how the development of friendships impacts them and their lives in the future. The juxtaposition of the change in attitudes of the characters symbolizes how they have changed as a result of their previous endeavor. This change of attitude is evident when at the beginning of the movie, in chapter three; Nemo is enthused at beginning school and says in excitement to his father, “First day of school! Wake up! Wake up… First day of school dad!” this is then contrasted with Marlin towards the end of the movie in chapter thirty “Time for school! Time for school! Get up! Get up!”. These examples highlight the change of attitudes due to their previous experience embarked upon. * * In conclusion the concept about journeys that they require a character to take a risk, that they can be beneficial if taken with characters who can assist you upon the way, and past experiences can impact a traveler on future journeys are all explored through the film Finding Nemo. *