Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado

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.

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.

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.

Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is a family-friendly, adventurous live action film that captures the essence of the iconic show Dora the Explorer. Most notably, the acting of Dora (Samantha Lorraine) and Diego (Jacob Rodriguez), the unique, ancient set designs and the film's homage to certain elements of the original show are what make this movie worthwhile.

The film follows Dora, an ambitious explorer who goes on a treacherous journey in the Amazon to search the mythical site of Sol Dorado alongside her friends and family. They must face the dangers that lurk in the wild forest and the enemies that cross their paths in search of ancient treasure. Ultimately, their goal is to navigate Sol Dorado before their enemies wreak havoc.

The main cast members are Dora (Samantha Lorraine), Diego (Jacob Rodriguez), Naiya (Mariana Garzón Toro) Sonny (Acston Luca Porto), Camilla the Crusader (Daniella Pineda), and Boots (Gabriel Iglesias). Samantha Lorraine accurately emulates Dora through her ability to resemble her cartoony mannerisms and by maintaining a bubbly and optimistic personality. As she portrays a teenage version of Dora, she still captures her timeless, childlike spirit in addition to adding a level of maturity. More so, her performance pays tribute to the original source material all while adding her own flair to the character. Whenever she interacts with her co-star Jacob Rodriguez, who plays Diego, their relationship feels close and authentic as they have great chemistry with each other. Additionally, Gabriel Iglesias who voices Boots acts as the comedic relief in the film. His hilarious voice acting and his conversations with his best friend, Dora, add to the heart of the movie. Even the use of CGI for Boots is flawless as he appears both realistic and animated at the same time. The color grading is quite fitting as there are yellow and orange tints of color that enhance the film. The car chases and action sequences that involve Dora, her cohorts and the enemies, are well choreographed, especially when Daniella Pineda and her stunt double perform Camilla the Crusader's stunts and fight scenes - they are achieved with great finesse and panache. The set design is intricately constructed and immersive; the use of practical effects like the caves and the booby traps add to the story's believability.

The film's message urges viewers to recognize the importance of teamwork when facing trials and tribulations.

I give Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado 4.0 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is available Paramount + and Nickelodeon beginning July 2, 2025.

By Llana O., KIDS FIRST!

"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.