Dora: à la recherche du Sol Dorado

I did actually enjoy the 2019 movie "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" and thus also opted to sit down and watch the 2025 movie "Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado", as I had the chance to do so.

The narrative in the movie was okay, nothing jaw-dropping or overly fascinating, but suitable for an evening of adventure with the family in front of the screen. Sure, it was mostly for a younger audience, but still suitable for adults as well. So writer JT Billings did deliver a good script for director Alberto Belli to bring to the screen.

The acting performances in the movie are good. I was not familiar with a single actress or actor on the cast list, which was actually something that worked in favor of the movie, as I do enjoy watching unfamiliar and new talents in movies.

"Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado" is an enjoyable adventure movie for the entire family.

Visually, then the movie was good. Sure, this was a Nickelodeon movie, so don't expect to be blown away, but the effects certainly were good, as were the sets and locations.

My rating of director Alberto Belli's 2025 movie "Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado" lands on a six out of ten stars.

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 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 (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.