Finding Nemo: Pixar’s Modern-Day Bambi

Andrew Stanton’s fishy adventure, Finding Nemo, released in 2003, has earned the status of being the Bambi for a new generation. As Pixar’s fifth feature-length film, it has become a cherished classic from the studio’s illustrious era in the 2000s.

The heartwarming tale revolves around Marlin, a protective Clownfish voiced by Albert Brooks, on a quest to find his son, Nemo, brilliantly portrayed by Alexander Gould. Throughout the film, audiences are treated to unforgettable moments, including the endearing friendship between Marlin and Dory, voiced by Ellen Degeneres, encounters with vegetarian sharks, and the thrill-seeking turtle named Crush, brought to life by Andrew Stanton himself.

However, the film’s initial scene sets a somber tone as it unfolds Marlin’s heartbreaking loss of his partner, Coral, played by Elizabeth Perkins. This poignant moment not only engages viewers but also establishes a distinct emotional atmosphere akin to the impact of Bambi’s mother’s death, which resonated with audiences for generations.

The opening sequence portrays Marlin and Coral tending to their eggs, eagerly anticipating their future as parents. Unfortunately, their blissful moment is abruptly interrupted by a menacing barracuda seeking to prey on the eggs. In an act of sacrifice, Coral gives her life to protect their offspring, while Marlin is knocked unconscious.

When Marlin awakens, the devastating reality becomes evident—Coral and all but one of their eggs, Nemo, have been devoured. This poignant and harsh introduction to the film sets it apart, reminiscent of the iconic scene of Mufasa’s demise in The Lion King. While Coral’s death is not explicitly shown like Mufasa’s, the audience understands that she and her young have perished.

The significance of this scene lies in the context of Pixar’s cinematic history at that time. Prior to Finding Nemo, Disney’s animated movies adhered to certain rules regarding death. Typically, it occurred to villains and often took place off-screen, involving falls from cliffs or being transformed into monsters before their demise. Bambi and The Lion King stood as the notable exceptions where the death of “good” characters left a lasting impact on viewers.

Until Finding Nemo, Pixar had adhered to similar guidelines in their first four films. In the Toy Story franchise, the great peril faced by characters like Buzz and Woody involved being forgotten or given away without introducing the concept of death. A Bug’s Life featured the villain, Hopper, being eaten by birds, while Monsters Inc.’s antagonist, Henry J Waternoose, was arrested.

Coral’s death in Finding Nemo breaks away from this pattern, delivering a poignant and unexpected loss of an innocent character. Unlike The Lion King, it does not serve as a catalyst for a revenge-driven narrative, yet it serves a purpose. It instills in Marlin a deep fear of the world and fuels his protective nature towards Nemo.

The loss of his partner and the near loss of his only child establish a foundation of grief and trauma, showcasing Pixar’s early ability to tackle weighty themes within a family-friendly context.

In the years that followed, Pixar movies embraced death as a more fluid subject. In The Incredibles, it was used for comedic effect in the “No Capes!” montage depicting various heroes meeting their unfortunate ends. Toy Story 3 touched on accepting one’s fate through the heart-wrenching furnace scene, although Woody and his friends ultimately survived. In Soul, death itself became the central theme.

Undoubtedly, the movie that comes to mind when one mentions “Pixar death” is Up. Similar to Finding Nemo, Up begins with a sequence portraying the loss of a loved one, albeit with greater contextual depth than Coral’s death.

The poignant ten-minute montage captures the life of Ellie and Carl, their shared dreams, the loss of a child, and ultimately, their separation by death. Regarded as one of the most touching sequences in movie history, whether animated or live-action, it paved the way for other poignant moments like Bing Bong’s farewell in Inside Out or Chicharrón’s fading presence in Coco.

These moments highlight sacrifice and, despite their sadness, depict characters finding the strength to persevere. They have become integral parts of Pixar’s legacy, where younger viewers can learn valuable lessons about subjects like death without being traumatized, while accompanying adults may discreetly fight back a tear or two.

Twenty years later, Finding Nemo continues to hold a significant place in cinematic history due to its contributions to animated films and the distinct qualities associated with a Pixar movie. Inspired by its predecessors, the film masterfully refined storytelling techniques that allow family movies, in particular, to touch our hearts by breaking them before piecing them back together.

For those eager to relive the magic, Finding Nemo is available for streaming on Disney+.

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