Dora the Explorer – Fun for all the family
Movie Review 8 amigo’s out of 10
Family Rating There is nothing in here to stop anyone from watching
Last week three generations of the Duffus family celebrated our son’s birthday by going to watch this genuinely entertaining movie. The characters will be familiar to all those who watched the animated series of the same name, as children or with their children, from 2000 on. Dora and Diego, Boots, Backpack, Map and of course Swiper.
Dora, who is now a teenager, is played by the very talented young actress, Isabel Moner (Instant Family). Still rocking a bowl haircut, Dora has to leave the jungle for the city where she is reunited with her cousin, Diego. Adjusting to suburban life is difficult for this native girl and the first couple of scenes address the challenges of being different and how to deal with it.
While Dora is away, her parents go missing while searching for an ancient Incan city of Gold. A kidnapping takes Dora and three school friends back to the jungle where they race against the evil villains to rescue her parents. The four teenagers learn how to work together and trust in each other with Dora’s perky nature lifting them to achieve things they had never imagined.
Throughout the movie, the characters reflect their animated characters, with asides to the audience, a fascination with pronouncing words in Spanish and of course keeping the treasures away from Swiper. Our granddaughter was entertained throughout by the antics of Boots the monkey and the fart and poo jokes which had her laughing out loud.
There is nothing innovative or ground-breaking in the story or production but it is so refreshing to have a movie that kids from 8 to 80 can watch together and enjoy. With school holidays upon us, this is the one movie that you should take the time to see.