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.

Much better than the first one which was weighed down by boring original characters. This one has original characters too. But one reminded me of short round from Indiana Jones and Dora has some Indy in her. The other main original is Diego's ex girlfriend so there was a reason for her to exist.

We get boots, map, swiper, and backpack. Swiper is a bad guy though and I think he's more fun as an antihero. I hope if there's future movies though that they'll mix it up with Swiper on Dora's team.

No Benny the Bull, explorer stars, etc though.

The main villain is fun(Camila the Crusader) and there's definitely a logical reason why the needed an original character to fill that role as it's logical that there are other explorers out there in the world.

Lots of fun in jokes. Indiana Jones light even again with a short round type.

Hoping for more movies. I'll keep watching as long as they make them. I love Dora as a live action movie concept so much that I had to make a review just to hopes that they'll keep making them!

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.

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.