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The image that startled me above all came early in the film. We see Marlin, the proud father, assuring his son that everything will be all right while Nemo is still in an embryonic state, curled and quivering in his translucent egg. It's a beautiful image. It is also underlines the idea that life is beautiful and significant even before a baby "hatches" into the world.

Religious press critics are all raving about the film.

David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) calls it "an enchanting fable about courage, self-sacrifice and the power of love to overcome insurmountable odds."

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) agrees, saying that Nemo leaves Pixar's previous works "in its wake. Pixar excels in developing multidimensional characters and relationships that they use to drive their story forward and provide depth and substance to their imaginative tale. Every character, no matter how briefly they appear, has a reason for being there."

Holly McClure (Crosswalk) writes, "Not only are the underwater scenes brilliant and fascinating, but the adventures on dry land prove to be challenging … and intense as well."

Ted Baehr (Movieguide) says the movie "captures your heart, your mind and your soul and will hold viewers breathless until the fantastic 'fin-ish.'" He says the script "should become required reading for any hopeful scriptwriters. The story and characters are also filled with lots of family-friendly humor. Best of all, the movie is full of great moral values. It … could cause the most hard-hearted father to lighten up and cry."

Steven Isaac (Focus on the Family) says he's seen what "may well be the most lavish animation seen to date on the big screen. There's very little wrong with Finding Nemo, and there's lots to learn from and enjoy."

Mike Parnell (Ethics Daily) raves, "Children will love this movie. My 6-year-old was enraptured by it, and my 12-year-old was not bored in the least. Parents, however—and fathers specifically—should truly enjoy this movie."

Mainstream press critics know a good thing when they see it. They are celebrating Nemo as one of the finest films released so far this year. You can scan archives of their reviews in two formats at Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.

You would think that the masterminds of movie heists would learn to distrust their own people. What would a heist movie be without a double-cross?

That's exactly what happens to Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg). Making off with loads of gold bullion from an Italian palazzo, Charlie and his cronies (Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland) are tricked by one of their own (Edward Norton). So the team regroups, joins forces with an attractive safecracker (Charlize Theron), and heads for California to go for the gold all over again, and get revenge along the way.

Sound like a typical film about burglars? The Italian Job is, in fact, a loose remake of a 1969 film bearing the same title. This version boasts a lot of action, including a thrilling high-speed pursuit with Mini Coopers that is sure to boost sales of the trendy little cars.

But thrills and clever heists are not enough to impress most religious press critics. Some find this Job mediocre, while others find it unethical.

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) claims, "There's little sense of danger in this film. Everything looks and feels so precisely choreographed that whatever dramatic tension might have existed has long since been painted over with a bland shade of predictability."

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June (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47