If you're not familiar with the name Pixar, there's every chance that you're aware of the company's work. With features such as A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., and the two Toy Story films, Pixar has reinvented and revitalised the animated film, employing new technology in the service of witty, inventive scripts and characters which delight audiences of every age group.

Their latest is a tale placing fish in the leading roles, and arrives here this week after breaking new box office ground in America. The Nemo of the title is a tiny clown fish with an undersized fin who's been raised by his over-protective father Marlin. When it comes to Nemo's first day at school, rebellion kicks in and he boldly goes where no clown fish has gone before - and doesn't come back.

Marlin hooks up with forgetful fish Dory and the pair embark on a mission to rescue Nemo. This takes them via three vicious-looking sharks who have formed a branch of Fish-eaters Anonymous, and a jellyfish jungle, in search of that elusive current which could lead them to the little fellow.

Finding Nemo is one of the finest animated films I've ever seen. It's full of wonderfully clever dialogue, the story is terrific, and they are both served with distinction by the vocal talents of the actors, among whom Ellen DeGeneres as Dory is superb.

You might say this is a film awash with clever ideas. For example, taking the notion that fish have a very short memory span and turning that into a character trait for one individual creature not only makes that leading figure in the story charming and entertaining but creates real dramatic potential.

And there is real drama here, with plenty of twists, jumps, jolts and shocks, though I doubt that even the smallest children would have nightmares.

But having praised these major attributes, it's the exceptional animation that is the real star. A whole undersea world is brought to life with quite magical skill and the film is simply a feast for the eyes.

Finding Nemo will be everywhere from Friday 10th October (in London's West End and Manchester from the 3rd). Whatever your age, I strongly encourage you to catch a film which will be considered a classic of its kind.

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