Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado

"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.

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.

After watching Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, I felt like I'd gone on a lively little adventure with an old friend. The film captures that bright, curious spirit of the original Dora the Explorer show but gives it a fresh, modern twist that works surprisingly well for both kids and adults. I found myself smiling through most of it, enjoying the colorful jungle, clever puzzles, and the upbeat energy that never really lets up.

Pros: The biggest strength for me was the cast, especially Samantha Lorraine as Dora. She brings a genuine charm and enthusiasm that makes the character feel alive and relatable. The chemistry between the main characters felt natural, which helped the story flow smoothly. Visually, the movie shines with vibrant jungle settings and well-crafted animated sidekicks like Boots and Swiper, which added a fun, playful touch. I also appreciated the positive messages woven throughout-family, teamwork, and forgiveness are handled with warmth and sincerity without feeling preachy. The action scenes were exciting enough to keep me engaged, and the film balances moments of tension with lighthearted humor nicely.

Cons: That said, the plot sometimes felt a bit too familiar and predictable. There were moments where the story stretched believability, and a few jokes didn't quite land for me. Some scenes might be a little intense for very young kids, especially with the peril and traps, so parents might want to watch with that in mind. Also, while the film is fun, it doesn't break new ground in the adventure genre, so if you're looking for something deeply original or complex, this might feel a bit surface-level.

Rating: Story: 6.5/10 - It's enjoyable but somewhat predictable.

Acting: 8/10 - Samantha Lorraine and the cast bring life and warmth.

Visuals: 7.5/10 - Colorful and lively, great for family viewing.

Pacing: 7/10 - Keeps a good rhythm, though some parts feel rushed.

Overall Enjoyment: 7/10 - A solid, feel-good family adventure that delivers fun and heart without overcomplicating things.

In short, Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is a delightful watch if you want a lighthearted, colorful adventure with positive values. It's not perfect, but its joyful spirit and strong performances make it an entertaining journey for the whole family.

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.

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.