Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado

Dora (Samantha Lorraine) and Diego (Jacob Rodriguez) grew up with stories of legendary Incan city Sol Dorado from their grandpa. They get into another adventure, but she loses her map. She goes to work at theme park Jungle World under her hero archaeologist Camila (Daniella Pineda) who has a pet fox Swiper.

I can't believe that they got a new Dora although I guess that I can believe it. It is called show Business. It is maybe bad business. I think that this prevents the franchise from higher aspirations. This stays strictly in the children adventure space. As long as expectations are limited, this is not going to disappoint the kiddies and won't annoy the adults.

If you're looking for a movie that brings back childhood memories, this one does the job well.

Dora will always be one of the icons of our childhood.

But as a film, it's just... enjoyable - just enjoyable.

The drama, plot, comedy, and events are all average - exactly what you'd expect from a family movie.

Still, I enjoyed it.

Final rating: 7 out of 10.

Sometimes "fine" is exactly what you need. A day after the Lilo n Stitch movie (which was great), this Dora adventure hit the sweet spot of keeping my 11-year-old entertained two days in a row. No Snow White shananigans here!

Dora's treasure hunt actually works. This adventure follows our intrepid explorer as she searches for the legendary Sol Dorado, mixing ancient Inca mysteries with modern-day thrills that kept both me and my 11-year-old engaged throughout.

Samantha Lorraine brings charm to the adventure-seeking Latina heroine and nails Dora's optimistic energy without being annoying. The supporting cast handles the comedy well, and the villain motivations feel genuine rather than cartoonish.

The jungle settings look great, and the action sequences have real stakes - kids will genuinely worry about whether Dora will solve the puzzles in time.

The Inca cultural elements feel respectful and educational. The treasure hunt has legitimate twists, and the friendship dynamics ring true.

Minor Gripes: Some jokes fall flat, and a few plot points resolve too easily. But the adventure keeps moving, and both kids and adults stay invested in whether Dora finds her prize.

This is a solid family adventure that delivers exactly what it promises - a fun treasure hunt with heart, humor, and just enough educational value to make parents feel good about screen time.

Big Plus: This works perfectly as a standalone adventure - no need to have seen the previous 2019 Dora movie, though being a Dora fan would help. My daughter jumped right in and had zero confusion following the story. For tired parents looking for 90 minutes that actually entertains in the summer holidays, this delivers.

The Bottom Line: Not every family movie needs to be a masterpiece. Sometimes you just need something that's competently made, culturally respectful, and won't make you want to hide behind the couch. Mission accomplished.

Perfect for: Family movie nights, adventure-loving kids, parents who want something genuinely entertaining.

"Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado" is a colorful and energetic adventure that feels clearly tailored for younger audiences - and it works quite well on that level. It's full of bright visuals, light humor, and an enthusiastic tone that makes it a great pick for kids.

For adults, it's a decent watch, though not particularly remarkable. The plot is straightforward, with familiar tropes and a predictable arc, but it still manages to entertain thanks to a likable cast and its upbeat pace. It occasionally leans into silliness, but never in a way that feels off-brand for Dora's world.

Overall, it's a fair adventure film: simple, wholesome fun for children, and a passable experience for adults tagging along.

Dora the Explorer was a show I watched as a kid on Nick Jr. And it was fun. I did watch Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) earlier this year and I had a blast with that movie, so I went into this new movie with the right set of expectations and I had a great time with this movie.

Positives for Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025): This movie is able to capture the fun nature of the original animated show in live-action form, something a lot of Disney live-action remakes have failed to do. You have a fun adventure with the characters that feels like classic Indiana Jones. You have a wonderful cast with Samantha Lorraine as Dora, Jacob Rodriguez as Diego, Mariana Garzon Toro as Naiya, Acston Luca Porto as Sonny, Daniella Pineda as Camila and Gabriel Iglesias as Boots. Samantha Lorraine does an excellent job at playing this live-action version of Dora and while I do prefer Isabela Merced, she is able to to make the character her own and I like the arc she goes on in the movie and she doesn't feel like one of those damn Mary Sue characters. The character of Camila played by Daniella Pineda was very compelling and interesting as the main villain and she has motivations that will make you sympathize with her. The action sequences are very entertaining and you get some nice stunts with these characters. And finally, I like the use of practical movie sets instead of CGI and it makes everything feel more real despite being a fictional world.

Mixed for Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025): This movie is made for kids and everything in the movie makes more sense as to why it feels dumb.

Negatives for Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025): The main adventure in this movie isn't nearly as grand or excited like it was in the 2019 live-action movie.

Overall, Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025) was a nice surprise for me and it will be a great time for fans of the old animated show and families around the world.