OK, joking aside, we all thought this was gonna flop spectacularly. Dora has had a very rocky reputation and a live-action version sounds like a terrible idea. But to my surprise this was a very charming and pretty funny movie. It is mainly aimed at kids and that meant a bit of cringe-worthy moments here and there, but the whole product is just a lot of fun, and I'm saying this as someone who despises Dora The Explorer. Give it a watch, you may end up liking it.
327 Reviews
I can't believe I'm recommending Dora and the Lost City of Gold...but it was funny and a had a committed actress as Dora
RforFilm9 August 2019
"Can you find the map behind either of the three bushes?" is one of several things little Dora would ask her viewers on her show Dora the Explorer. I was in middle school when Dora the Explorer made it's debut on Nickelodeon. I was already too old for it, but it was a monster hit for the under seven demographic it was aiming for. From the few episodes I saw, it did it's job well buy keeping kids interacting with the show. But unlike Blues Clues that had very mundane and general mysteries, Dora the Explorer at least tried to add a little more education with zoology and a main character that was Latina. I merely saw it as harmless while Nickelodeon saw it as money.
In the age where reboots and remakes are all the rage, it makes sense Hollywood would want to tap into the nostalgia of Dora before it was too late. When a movie was announced, I kept wondering how that would be done as movies based off a little kid aimed material rarely sells. Just as the people who've made movies off of Sesame Street and Thomas the Tank Engine. But Dora and the Lost City of Gold tries something different; it tries to be funny.
Young teenager Dora (played by Isabela Moner) may be grown up, but still loves exploring the South American jungle with her monkey Boots (played by Danny Trejo), singing songs to herself and keeping an upbeat sprit about her life. After a fall, her parents Cole (played by Michael Peña) and Elena (played by Eva Longoria) decide that she needs to be around kids her own age and send her to Los Angeles to go live with her cousin Diego (played by Jeff Wahlberg).
When going to Diego's high school, she finds her jungle skills and knowledge out of place in a culture of cliques and teenage angst. Nevertheless, she continues to be herself while trying to get back her friendship she used to have with Diego. The both of them are on a fieldtrip when they and two other students get kidnapped by treasure hunters who hope Dora can lead them to her parents who are searching for a lost city of gold. Their sent back to South America, but get away thanks to a fellow explorer Alejandro (played by Eugenio Derbez). Even with an adult, it's up to Dora to lead her friends into the jungle the find her parents and perhaps a lost city of gold.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually liked Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Not only was it genuinely funny, but it kept my interest in a story that seems like a safer version of Goonies. Is it as good as the latter? No, in fact there are moments that are too dumb, but for the most part, this is a movie that knows what it is and wants to be: a silly adventure. There's nothing wrong with being silly.
This is a movie that's made for fans of Dora the Explorer, but it's also for those that made fun of it. It's aware of how annoying the cartoon was for the adults who had to listen to it when their toddlers watched it. A lot of it works thanks to Isabela Moner, who remains as committed as hell to not only making her work as a likable character, but one who can be a literal live-action cartoon.
While I had fun, I know that regular adult are not going to get into this at all if they don't have some nostalgia with the character. What does hurt it is while it tries to evolve Dora and her adventure, it still succumbs to cliché family movie parts like the annoying geek character and bathroom jokes. I understand it's a film that still has to appeal to children, but if movies like Inside Out and Up have shown anything, the story can still be great without having to go for lowbrow humor. A part of me also realizes that if I was around ten, I would have dug this movie and maybe even asked my parents to take me to it again.
I'll give this seven Doras out of ten. Again, even though I liked it and had fun with it's meta jokes, this is not meant for adults unless they have some nostalgia or even at least some interest. It weird to think that the CGI Lion King remake was bad while a live action Dora the Explorer was better then expected. I suppose it's earned the right to sing "We did it"
In the age where reboots and remakes are all the rage, it makes sense Hollywood would want to tap into the nostalgia of Dora before it was too late. When a movie was announced, I kept wondering how that would be done as movies based off a little kid aimed material rarely sells. Just as the people who've made movies off of Sesame Street and Thomas the Tank Engine. But Dora and the Lost City of Gold tries something different; it tries to be funny.
Young teenager Dora (played by Isabela Moner) may be grown up, but still loves exploring the South American jungle with her monkey Boots (played by Danny Trejo), singing songs to herself and keeping an upbeat sprit about her life. After a fall, her parents Cole (played by Michael Peña) and Elena (played by Eva Longoria) decide that she needs to be around kids her own age and send her to Los Angeles to go live with her cousin Diego (played by Jeff Wahlberg).
When going to Diego's high school, she finds her jungle skills and knowledge out of place in a culture of cliques and teenage angst. Nevertheless, she continues to be herself while trying to get back her friendship she used to have with Diego. The both of them are on a fieldtrip when they and two other students get kidnapped by treasure hunters who hope Dora can lead them to her parents who are searching for a lost city of gold. Their sent back to South America, but get away thanks to a fellow explorer Alejandro (played by Eugenio Derbez). Even with an adult, it's up to Dora to lead her friends into the jungle the find her parents and perhaps a lost city of gold.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually liked Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Not only was it genuinely funny, but it kept my interest in a story that seems like a safer version of Goonies. Is it as good as the latter? No, in fact there are moments that are too dumb, but for the most part, this is a movie that knows what it is and wants to be: a silly adventure. There's nothing wrong with being silly.
This is a movie that's made for fans of Dora the Explorer, but it's also for those that made fun of it. It's aware of how annoying the cartoon was for the adults who had to listen to it when their toddlers watched it. A lot of it works thanks to Isabela Moner, who remains as committed as hell to not only making her work as a likable character, but one who can be a literal live-action cartoon.
While I had fun, I know that regular adult are not going to get into this at all if they don't have some nostalgia with the character. What does hurt it is while it tries to evolve Dora and her adventure, it still succumbs to cliché family movie parts like the annoying geek character and bathroom jokes. I understand it's a film that still has to appeal to children, but if movies like Inside Out and Up have shown anything, the story can still be great without having to go for lowbrow humor. A part of me also realizes that if I was around ten, I would have dug this movie and maybe even asked my parents to take me to it again.
I'll give this seven Doras out of ten. Again, even though I liked it and had fun with it's meta jokes, this is not meant for adults unless they have some nostalgia or even at least some interest. It weird to think that the CGI Lion King remake was bad while a live action Dora the Explorer was better then expected. I suppose it's earned the right to sing "We did it"
Dora goes exploring - shocker!
GavWaskett13 September 2020
Okay, I never expected to be sitting watching this film and to be honest, I watched it when I was feeling a bit blurgh and needed a bit of brightness and happiness. And you know what, it delivered.
It's not a great film by any means but it is a very good family film, something to sit and watch with the children on a Saturday afternoon.
Isabela Merced was quite good in Transformers: The Last Knight and Instant Family and she shows again that she has a good future in family type films for the next few years.
It's an adventure story with lots of silliness and friendships, an Indiana Jones for the younger generation with less snakes and more brightly coloured outfits.
You know what, I'll give it a 12/20 because it is a good fun.
It's not a great film by any means but it is a very good family film, something to sit and watch with the children on a Saturday afternoon.
Isabela Merced was quite good in Transformers: The Last Knight and Instant Family and she shows again that she has a good future in family type films for the next few years.
It's an adventure story with lots of silliness and friendships, an Indiana Jones for the younger generation with less snakes and more brightly coloured outfits.
You know what, I'll give it a 12/20 because it is a good fun.
Was really decent
nathanmanson8 August 2019
A fun summer adventure film for kids that's also fun for adults.
bob-the-movie-man24 August 2019
The Plot is a wholly ridiculous story ripped from multiple Tarzan movies of the 40's and 50's. But go with it.
Six-year old Dora (Madelyn Miranda) and Diego (Malachi Barton) are having fun growing up in the jungle with their academic parents. (At least, you assume Diego's parents are there somewhere... this is all very vague!). Dora's parents - Cole (Michael Peña) and Elena (Eva Longoria) - are explorers on a lifelong mission to discover the lost Inca city of Parapata. Parapata is famed to be crammed with gold - "more than all the rest of the world's gold put together".
But Dad makes clear that they are not in it for the financial benefit: the motto is explorers = good; treasure hunters = bad.
But Dora's idyllic childhood is rocked when Diego has to return to civilization and she has to grow up alone with her parents.
Roll forwards 10 years and Dora has grown. Now as Isabela Moner, she discovers a vital clue to Parapata's location. But this signals a change for Dora, since she is not allowed on the expedition and must go to a far wilder place: to join Diego, now Jeff Wahlberg (nephew of Mark) in an LA high-school.
But Mum and Dad are not the only ones on the trail of Parapata's treasures, and together with new friends, the spiky "mean-girl" Sammy (Madeleine Madden) and the nerdy astronomy geek Randy (Nicholas Coombe), they must mount a rescue mission that takes them.... you'll NEVER guess where..!
The film is a blast for kids, and probably suitable for emotionally robust kids of all ages. Nobody actually dies, despite falling unfathomably long distances onto rocks! However, the film also pulls off that great and welcome trick by dropping in enough jokes for parents to be entertained. "Yumm... delicioso!" says young Dora. Then breaking the fourth wall "Can YOU say delicioso?". Fleabag-style this confuses the hell out of Mum and Dad. Cole says to Elena, "Don't worry... she'll grow out of it". And fortunately, she does before the joke becomes tiresome!
There's no warning about drug-taking, since the hallucinogenic scene with exploding flowers will go right over young kid's heads. But I found it very amusing!
There are also some fun "fish out of water" high school scenes. We've seen many of these before with the likes of Spider-Man, but here they are light-touch and fun.
When things get back into the jungle, they take on a much whackier angle. It's all very "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull", but without the crushing disappointment! But again, kids will love the puzzle-solving and the "Mummy-ish" gothic humour. The only part of this that I think might disturb young kids is a quicksand scene, that parents might like to pre-warn youngsters that everything will work out fine!
Holding the whole film together like a little Duracell Bunny of vitality is 18-year old Isabela Moner, who is a genuine talent, honed in the Nickelodeon studios. She was impressive in the above average "Instant Family", and I predict she will go onto great things over the next 10 years.
Elsewhere, a "Pointless" answer from the cast is Benicio del Toro as the voice of "Swiper", a bizarrely talking and poorly-disguised fox! This probably makes more sense to those who know the original kid's cartoon!
Even more annoying is Dora's (strangely multi-coloured) monkey Boots... the Jar Jar Binks of the film, who might amuse very young children but probably not many other folks.
Final Thoughts: Here's a film that is not trying to be anything other than a fun and much needed summer outing for families. Disney used to do this sort of live-action family film thing so well in the 70's and 80's, before they got obsessed with pointless recreations of their cartoon classics.
The director is James Bobin, who's formerly directed a number of the Muppet movies, and this movie breathes with the same sense of anarchic fun without being too up itself.
The film occasionally makes you cringe, with some dreadfully (and deliberately) naff songs, but I enjoyed it and for the right audience (kids 8 to 12) I think they'll have a blast.
(For the full graphical review, please check out One Mann's Movies on this new-fangled internet thing, or else on Facebook... whatever the earth that is. Thanks).
Six-year old Dora (Madelyn Miranda) and Diego (Malachi Barton) are having fun growing up in the jungle with their academic parents. (At least, you assume Diego's parents are there somewhere... this is all very vague!). Dora's parents - Cole (Michael Peña) and Elena (Eva Longoria) - are explorers on a lifelong mission to discover the lost Inca city of Parapata. Parapata is famed to be crammed with gold - "more than all the rest of the world's gold put together".
But Dad makes clear that they are not in it for the financial benefit: the motto is explorers = good; treasure hunters = bad.
But Dora's idyllic childhood is rocked when Diego has to return to civilization and she has to grow up alone with her parents.
Roll forwards 10 years and Dora has grown. Now as Isabela Moner, she discovers a vital clue to Parapata's location. But this signals a change for Dora, since she is not allowed on the expedition and must go to a far wilder place: to join Diego, now Jeff Wahlberg (nephew of Mark) in an LA high-school.
But Mum and Dad are not the only ones on the trail of Parapata's treasures, and together with new friends, the spiky "mean-girl" Sammy (Madeleine Madden) and the nerdy astronomy geek Randy (Nicholas Coombe), they must mount a rescue mission that takes them.... you'll NEVER guess where..!
The film is a blast for kids, and probably suitable for emotionally robust kids of all ages. Nobody actually dies, despite falling unfathomably long distances onto rocks! However, the film also pulls off that great and welcome trick by dropping in enough jokes for parents to be entertained. "Yumm... delicioso!" says young Dora. Then breaking the fourth wall "Can YOU say delicioso?". Fleabag-style this confuses the hell out of Mum and Dad. Cole says to Elena, "Don't worry... she'll grow out of it". And fortunately, she does before the joke becomes tiresome!
There's no warning about drug-taking, since the hallucinogenic scene with exploding flowers will go right over young kid's heads. But I found it very amusing!
There are also some fun "fish out of water" high school scenes. We've seen many of these before with the likes of Spider-Man, but here they are light-touch and fun.
When things get back into the jungle, they take on a much whackier angle. It's all very "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull", but without the crushing disappointment! But again, kids will love the puzzle-solving and the "Mummy-ish" gothic humour. The only part of this that I think might disturb young kids is a quicksand scene, that parents might like to pre-warn youngsters that everything will work out fine!
Holding the whole film together like a little Duracell Bunny of vitality is 18-year old Isabela Moner, who is a genuine talent, honed in the Nickelodeon studios. She was impressive in the above average "Instant Family", and I predict she will go onto great things over the next 10 years.
Elsewhere, a "Pointless" answer from the cast is Benicio del Toro as the voice of "Swiper", a bizarrely talking and poorly-disguised fox! This probably makes more sense to those who know the original kid's cartoon!
Even more annoying is Dora's (strangely multi-coloured) monkey Boots... the Jar Jar Binks of the film, who might amuse very young children but probably not many other folks.
Final Thoughts: Here's a film that is not trying to be anything other than a fun and much needed summer outing for families. Disney used to do this sort of live-action family film thing so well in the 70's and 80's, before they got obsessed with pointless recreations of their cartoon classics.
The director is James Bobin, who's formerly directed a number of the Muppet movies, and this movie breathes with the same sense of anarchic fun without being too up itself.
The film occasionally makes you cringe, with some dreadfully (and deliberately) naff songs, but I enjoyed it and for the right audience (kids 8 to 12) I think they'll have a blast.
(For the full graphical review, please check out One Mann's Movies on this new-fangled internet thing, or else on Facebook... whatever the earth that is. Thanks).
Some movies have a maximum age.
alci35011 August 2019
I like watching animation and movies meant for younger audience sometimes. Most of the timed they are for all audiences. But when you get scenes like, repeat the word after me and songs about digging poo holes.. it's hard to watch as an adult..
Beware! Movie for families who watched Dora in the past
Bergtop8 August 2019
I watched the movie with my kids aged 10 and 11. I liked it, they liked it. But it was not that long ago that I watched cartoon Dora with them. So we laughed at the inside jokes and The cartoonesk way Dora is portrayed. We also felt nostalgic about the innocent time when my kids still watched cartoon Dora. I do think that the targetgroup for this movie is very narrow. It is best suited for families who watched the cartoon Dora in the past and now have kids who are a bit more grown up. Everybody else should skip this movie.
The live-action Dora film is entertaining for young viewers who know the character.
movieman6-413-9295107 August 2019
Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a live-action film based on the Nickelodeon animation series Dora the Explorer. This live-action film is directed by James Bobin, the director of Muppets Most Wanted and Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Dora (Isabela Moner) has spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents. Now that Dora is going to high school for the first time, she has to get used to this different way of life. When her parents are suddenly missing, Dora has to go on an adventure with famous friends and some of her new classmates to discover what happened to her parents. For this they have to solve the mystery behind the lost city of gold.
This is an entertaining film for children who are familiar with the animation version of Dora the Explorer and for parents who have seen this animation together with their children. The film is more fun for children, because the story can come across as somewhat predictable or obvious thanks to the simple elaboration for adult viewers. The film looks a bit like a children's version of an Indiana Jones or Tom Raider film. Animation fans can also see or hear certain hints and references in this film that refer to the animation series. For people who are not so or not at all familiar with the Dora animation series, it may take some getting used to understanding how the fictional world of film works.
The effects of the film are also more at the child level, because adult viewers can see earlier where CGI or a green screen is used in the film. Some CGI characters such as Boots Dora her friendly monkey or Zwieber the stealing fox don't seem credible to adult viewers. For children who are fans of the animation and who are familiar with these characters, it is nice to see them again in the film.
Isabela Moner appears good and credible in this film as Dora. She looks a lot like a live-action version of Dora because of the clothes and her appearance. With her acting work she carries the film for the young viewers. She also knows how to fill the film with her actions and reaction in the film. For older viewers, Michael Peña manages to provide some comical moments, but because his character goes missing, he soon disappears from the film. For example, as an older viewer you have to watch a film that is mainly filled with humor and a story for younger viewers.
Dora (Isabela Moner) has spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents. Now that Dora is going to high school for the first time, she has to get used to this different way of life. When her parents are suddenly missing, Dora has to go on an adventure with famous friends and some of her new classmates to discover what happened to her parents. For this they have to solve the mystery behind the lost city of gold.
This is an entertaining film for children who are familiar with the animation version of Dora the Explorer and for parents who have seen this animation together with their children. The film is more fun for children, because the story can come across as somewhat predictable or obvious thanks to the simple elaboration for adult viewers. The film looks a bit like a children's version of an Indiana Jones or Tom Raider film. Animation fans can also see or hear certain hints and references in this film that refer to the animation series. For people who are not so or not at all familiar with the Dora animation series, it may take some getting used to understanding how the fictional world of film works.
The effects of the film are also more at the child level, because adult viewers can see earlier where CGI or a green screen is used in the film. Some CGI characters such as Boots Dora her friendly monkey or Zwieber the stealing fox don't seem credible to adult viewers. For children who are fans of the animation and who are familiar with these characters, it is nice to see them again in the film.
Isabela Moner appears good and credible in this film as Dora. She looks a lot like a live-action version of Dora because of the clothes and her appearance. With her acting work she carries the film for the young viewers. She also knows how to fill the film with her actions and reaction in the film. For older viewers, Michael Peña manages to provide some comical moments, but because his character goes missing, he soon disappears from the film. For example, as an older viewer you have to watch a film that is mainly filled with humor and a story for younger viewers.
I cant believe I saw this and enjoyed it
UniqueParticle6 September 2019
I was the only one in the theater which helped a lot, I'd be embarrassed to see this around others especially being 27 years old. There's quite a lot of dumb moments and heartwarming scenes too; luckily this only cost me 53 cents because of my Regal Unlimited subscription. Also an odd thing I've noticed is the actress who played Dora has really gone through puberty and yet she doesn't seem mature that's really the only problem I had. Is it so wrong to be innocent? I don't know anymore.
Definitely for Kids only
pietclausen8 November 2019
This film is rated as a family movie, but certain antics and jokes by the father are not funny, rather stupid and very silly. Definitely not for adults, but kids may probably adore it. The children in the movie behaved much better and did their acting job more adequately. It can certainly qualify as a meek adventure movie. Without the stupidity of the adults the story is quite likable.
I have rated this movie as an adult reviewer and for kids one can add another point..
I have rated this movie as an adult reviewer and for kids one can add another point..
Remember who this movie is for
mmcox8111 August 2019
As a toddler, my daughter adored Dora. My son loved Go Diego, Go. Now, as older elementary students, they had a blast at this movie, and I did too. I thought the talking Swiper was weird, but it was one of my son's favorite parts. This movie was about being positive and being yourself, and the movie boldly said, 'I'm not going to try to be something I'm not.' It was entertaining and fun, and my kids came out singing and dancing. Isn't that the point? With so many violent and intense movies these days, this proved a refreshing change.
Ok movie based on a cartoon
smsnieto9 August 2019
I can't believe I liked it
Gordon-119 November 2019
I didn't think I would like this teenage adventure, but I did. This film is a fun filled adventure, with much positivity, fun and thrill. Scenes are colourful, songs are upbeat, and the film is quite a fun ride. I can't believe I liked it!
A movie that exists
supreee25 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
You can probably ignore the rating that I'm giving this movie, and you can go see it anyway. Of course this is assuming that you enjoy scenes where they stretch out the joke for about 20 seconds long in the scene and make it unfunny, actors that aren't actually trying half the time, twist villains that have beyond poor execution, annoying characters, and disgusting CGI. Do you like long awkward scenes where the characters stare at nothing? Well if you do it's your lucky day because the director decided to jam around 10 of those in the movie! Oops, I almost forgot to mention how the character development doesn't exist and basically amounts to the characters saying "We're friends now," at some point during the movie. A third of the cast is good but the other two thirds are not. Also Boots looks like an eldritch abomination I seriously don't know who green-lighted this design.
You should probably wait until this becomes available at home. At least there you won't get interrupted by the 15 year old girls two rows in the back singing along or the 6 year old loudly explaining the joke to his mother directly after the scene ends.
You should probably wait until this becomes available at home. At least there you won't get interrupted by the 15 year old girls two rows in the back singing along or the 6 year old loudly explaining the joke to his mother directly after the scene ends.
Can you Say, Fun, Family Friendly Adventure?
rgkarim9 August 2019
Childhood television shows hold a special place in our hearts, bringing us back to the days where adventure lied in every episode. Eager minds waited for the next episode to come, fooling ourselves that something different was going to happen to our hero and push them to the edge, only until we realized it was predictably the same ending. So movies that come out to potentially extend a hand back into the past and relive those moments are very intriguing and we may just find ourselves flocking to the movies to figure out what they writers could have in store for our heroes. Well, today that movie trend tries once more, this time in a pop culture icon who had mixed reception depending on the age you started with her. Robbie K here with another review on the former cartoon now brought to life in the trend of live action movies. Yes, I review:
Movie:
Dora the Explorer And The Lost City Of Gold (2019)
Director: James Bobin Writers: Chris Gifford (based on the series created by), Matthew Robinson (screenplay by)
Stars: Isabela Moner, Eugenio Derbez, Michael Peña
LIKES:
Short Fast Paced Good for Kids Funny Feels Like A Dora Episode Nostalgic Boots
DISLIKES:
Predictable Simplistic Lackluster Ending Under Utilized Cast Still Too Kiddy Preachy
Summary:
For a movie that is based on a kid's program, the Nickelodeon studies managed to keep the kid-friendly atmosphere alive and appropriate for the younger audience members. Utilizing the young adult morale issues for the generation to latch onto and have a rapport with. Those who aren't looking for the preteen dilemmas and high school shenanigans though will enjoy the humor in this film. The director and writers knew that the older population would be looking for something more enjoyable and the movie hits that mark by making fun of itself and trying to rationalize how Dora had the adventures she did. It's this self-punching humor that had me laughing up a storm and if you get the references remain into the movie at what next piece of humor you would get. And for fans like me who had younger relatives obsessed with the explorer, you pick up a few references that bring back the nostalgia of the animated adventures and the ridiculousness at hand. As for Boots, the little monkey is adorable and funny, bringing a dynamic set of jokes to the mix and relieving some of the other plot devices.
Yet the movie fails on the story aspect, working too hard to hit itself with the absurdity of the whole story. The adventure is predictable with lots of obvious foreshadowing laid out in the first third of the act. Trekking through the jungle lacks the bite Indiana jones and others had, again diluting to simplistic sequences that were perfect for the little kids it targets. The end of the path holds a rather disappointing, lackluster finale that leaves much to be desired in terms of wow factor, though it manages to nail that morale heavy lessons we all want in a Nickelodeon themed movie. Much of the disappointment for me was the underutilized cast, many of Dora's friends, rivals, and even other characters like Swiper were overshadowed by the fabulous explorer and her can do attitude. In doing so, the supposedly threatening group to antagonize the trip were one-dimensional throw away that served mainly to give slight suspense to the film. Yet, there was still plenty of time for them film to put those preachy lessons right at the end, with music, forced dialogue, and everything else to the delight of families.
Dora's real-life adventure is a cute dive to help bridge a lot of audience members. I concur with the rest of the reviewers that it is better than you expect, primarily in the humor, pacing, and fun references that are all contained in the short 100 minutes run-time. Sadly, the humor and kid friendly atmosphere left much to be desired in the form of story, acting, suspense, and overall finale for the adventure. I applaud them for making this thing short and fun though, and would say that this is a decent family film if you are looking for one to close the summer on. Yet, if you need a more quality film overall, look elsewhere, as there are several other films that will assist your viewing pleasures.
My scores are:
Adventure/Family: 7.0 Movie Overall: 5.0
Movie:
Dora the Explorer And The Lost City Of Gold (2019)
Director: James Bobin Writers: Chris Gifford (based on the series created by), Matthew Robinson (screenplay by)
Stars: Isabela Moner, Eugenio Derbez, Michael Peña
LIKES:
Short Fast Paced Good for Kids Funny Feels Like A Dora Episode Nostalgic Boots
DISLIKES:
Predictable Simplistic Lackluster Ending Under Utilized Cast Still Too Kiddy Preachy
Summary:
For a movie that is based on a kid's program, the Nickelodeon studies managed to keep the kid-friendly atmosphere alive and appropriate for the younger audience members. Utilizing the young adult morale issues for the generation to latch onto and have a rapport with. Those who aren't looking for the preteen dilemmas and high school shenanigans though will enjoy the humor in this film. The director and writers knew that the older population would be looking for something more enjoyable and the movie hits that mark by making fun of itself and trying to rationalize how Dora had the adventures she did. It's this self-punching humor that had me laughing up a storm and if you get the references remain into the movie at what next piece of humor you would get. And for fans like me who had younger relatives obsessed with the explorer, you pick up a few references that bring back the nostalgia of the animated adventures and the ridiculousness at hand. As for Boots, the little monkey is adorable and funny, bringing a dynamic set of jokes to the mix and relieving some of the other plot devices.
Yet the movie fails on the story aspect, working too hard to hit itself with the absurdity of the whole story. The adventure is predictable with lots of obvious foreshadowing laid out in the first third of the act. Trekking through the jungle lacks the bite Indiana jones and others had, again diluting to simplistic sequences that were perfect for the little kids it targets. The end of the path holds a rather disappointing, lackluster finale that leaves much to be desired in terms of wow factor, though it manages to nail that morale heavy lessons we all want in a Nickelodeon themed movie. Much of the disappointment for me was the underutilized cast, many of Dora's friends, rivals, and even other characters like Swiper were overshadowed by the fabulous explorer and her can do attitude. In doing so, the supposedly threatening group to antagonize the trip were one-dimensional throw away that served mainly to give slight suspense to the film. Yet, there was still plenty of time for them film to put those preachy lessons right at the end, with music, forced dialogue, and everything else to the delight of families.
Dora's real-life adventure is a cute dive to help bridge a lot of audience members. I concur with the rest of the reviewers that it is better than you expect, primarily in the humor, pacing, and fun references that are all contained in the short 100 minutes run-time. Sadly, the humor and kid friendly atmosphere left much to be desired in the form of story, acting, suspense, and overall finale for the adventure. I applaud them for making this thing short and fun though, and would say that this is a decent family film if you are looking for one to close the summer on. Yet, if you need a more quality film overall, look elsewhere, as there are several other films that will assist your viewing pleasures.
My scores are:
Adventure/Family: 7.0 Movie Overall: 5.0
It is actually good
rehmankhilji16 November 2019
Yes, by seeing the ratings over the net i was pretty confuse and first impression was that movie will be a disaster.
But it was not that bad, pretty good with obvious some bad parts, which one can live with.
Isabela Merced has really made the character and the role alive. Never liked Dora the cartoon but am familiar with the character and it was a good treat.
Don't expect Tomb raider level stuff but movie is adventurous in a light way.
A good family watch.
I felt like I was tripping... the whole movie...
niels276521 August 2019
This movie was like a whole trip, I thought the movie was clearly a kids movie, but to any adult, this movie would surprise them. The movie was bad, but I would have to recommend it, it's weird, I enjoyed this film, which was such a surprise.
Choosing Danny Trejo to voice Boots was the best decision of all time, I don't know who made that call, but they are a genius.
In all seriousness, the lead who played Dora did a genuinely good job portraying Dora, and it was fun to watch the other characters react to how crazy and insane Dora was. The story was simple and easy to follow, and there were some laughs that came out of me. The movie was also really creative, well it was, sometimes.
But apart from the fun I had, the movie had some of the worst acting I've ever seen, Diego, was, oh god, so bad, like so so bad. It was like staring at a brick wall, he had no emotion, Dora's parents were also really bad.
ah, stop
I shouldn't complain
watch this mess of a movie for yourself. It'll change you..........
Choosing Danny Trejo to voice Boots was the best decision of all time, I don't know who made that call, but they are a genius.
In all seriousness, the lead who played Dora did a genuinely good job portraying Dora, and it was fun to watch the other characters react to how crazy and insane Dora was. The story was simple and easy to follow, and there were some laughs that came out of me. The movie was also really creative, well it was, sometimes.
But apart from the fun I had, the movie had some of the worst acting I've ever seen, Diego, was, oh god, so bad, like so so bad. It was like staring at a brick wall, he had no emotion, Dora's parents were also really bad.
ah, stop
I shouldn't complain
watch this mess of a movie for yourself. It'll change you..........
Gold
jaredkelvim10 August 2019
This is the worst movie I've seen!
niehaus_megan9 August 2019
I loved Dora when I was a kid and when I saw the trailer for this movie I was thinking that it couldn't be that bad. I was completely wrong and the entire time I wanted to leave and regretted going. The movie was extremely boring and mostly cringey. I know this movie is for little kids, but the little girl next me told her mom that as soon as the movie was over, she never wanted to see it again.
"Severe neurotoxicity" 😂
larry_golad22 November 2019
Kiddie version of tomb raider
ThunderKing614 August 2019
Yes it's the kiddie version of Tomb Raider.
How this movie even made pass 500,000 (It made over 19 million) at the box office shows us why there are still very bad-dumb movies being made like Dora and the Lion King 2019.
90s children movies had more heart, dept, fun, security, story and realism. Today just add bad jokes and violent PG gags and you got yourself a movie.
How this movie even made pass 500,000 (It made over 19 million) at the box office shows us why there are still very bad-dumb movies being made like Dora and the Lion King 2019.
90s children movies had more heart, dept, fun, security, story and realism. Today just add bad jokes and violent PG gags and you got yourself a movie.
Better than I expected
photopimps7 August 2019
I used to watch this with my son when he was a kid, he's now 15. I took him to watch the screener as a joke lol. It was actually better than i expected. Although there are a few cringe worthy scenes that only little kids would enjoy, we both thought the movie was quite funny & overall entertaining. Solid 8 stars from me.
some surprising fun
SnoopyStyle16 November 2019
Dora lives with her parents (Eva Longoria, Michael Peña) in the jungle as they search for the lost Incan city of Parapata. She's a six year old with her backpack, map, monkey friend Boots, and cousin Diego while fending off the swiping fox Swiper. Ten years later, her parents send her to L.A. to live with her cousin Diego's family and socialize with regular kids. She is a fish out of water. Diego is embarrassed to be around her. Randy is the school nerd. Sammy is the hated overachiever. During a museum trip, the four outsiders are forced to be in a group. Treasure hunters kidnap Dora along with the three others and transport them back to the jungle. They plan to trade Dora to her parents for the lost city and its treasures. The kids are rescued by Alejandro who claims to be a friend of Dora's parents.
I'm not expecting much from this movie. For the IP, I expected a kids movie with kids. I still think six year old Dora and Diego could have some great adventures in the jungle as a family film. It's the way I would want for a Dora movie. From the trailer, the movie sets out with a teenager Dora. It would have been more interesting for her to explore the concrete jungle. So, the movie is going a third way. It has its funny moments. Dora's unrelenting cheerfulness is awkwardly funny in a couple of scenes. The four kids have some good chemistry. This is fine but I don't see it expanding into a bigger franchise. It has no chance of being the next Harry Potter. I doubt that this one can generate a sequel.
I'm not expecting much from this movie. For the IP, I expected a kids movie with kids. I still think six year old Dora and Diego could have some great adventures in the jungle as a family film. It's the way I would want for a Dora movie. From the trailer, the movie sets out with a teenager Dora. It would have been more interesting for her to explore the concrete jungle. So, the movie is going a third way. It has its funny moments. Dora's unrelenting cheerfulness is awkwardly funny in a couple of scenes. The four kids have some good chemistry. This is fine but I don't see it expanding into a bigger franchise. It has no chance of being the next Harry Potter. I doubt that this one can generate a sequel.
Actually too Cringy and Full of "High School Student" Stereotype
bbla-7804416 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
By the time I've entered the theatre, i just cringe every time i watch the Dora talking to herself, high school stereotype, etc.
I mean i don't like it but it doesn't mean i hate it as well
Well tbh they shouldn't make this movie if they only bring cringyness to the audience
Pokemon at least still better than this movie
Sorry 🤷🏿
And also 9/10 in my family also cringed a lot and they wanted their money back after they watched this movie
It's just too cringy to watch this and wasted 4$ for this cringy movie for the scene
I mean i don't like it but it doesn't mean i hate it as well
Well tbh they shouldn't make this movie if they only bring cringyness to the audience
Pokemon at least still better than this movie
Sorry 🤷🏿
And also 9/10 in my family also cringed a lot and they wanted their money back after they watched this movie
It's just too cringy to watch this and wasted 4$ for this cringy movie for the scene
Surprisingly good and entertaining...
paul_haakonsen5 November 2019
Well, I had a vague idea about whom Dora the Explorer was from a few glances on the TV when my son have been flipping through the children shows. So I sat down to watch this 2019 live action rendering of Dora the Explorer with my 9 year old son.
Turns out that the movie was actually better than I had expected to be. I had expected this to be a children's movie, but it is actually a family movie, because there is something even for parents and adults to enjoy in the movie. So whatever beforehand assumptions I had about what I was in for was definitely put to rest at the hands of director James Bobin.
Think about this as being sort of a light-hearted Indiana Jones adventure for the children and the family, and just take out the Nazis from the equation. Actually, the storyline in "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" was actually rather enjoyable, and the story was captivating and the good pacing of the story made it a very entertaining movie to sit through.
They had a good ensemble of actors and actresses to portray the various roles, and Isabela Moner, playing Dora, really carried the movie quite well. It was sort of fun to realize that it was Benicio Del Toro whom voiced Swiper and Danny Trejo that voiced Boots. And they also had the likes of Michael Peña and Temuera Morrison in the movie as well.
I was more than genuinely entertained and surprised with this movie, and it was definitely well worth sitting down with my son to watch. My rating of the 2019 "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" movie is a six out of ten stars.
Turns out that the movie was actually better than I had expected to be. I had expected this to be a children's movie, but it is actually a family movie, because there is something even for parents and adults to enjoy in the movie. So whatever beforehand assumptions I had about what I was in for was definitely put to rest at the hands of director James Bobin.
Think about this as being sort of a light-hearted Indiana Jones adventure for the children and the family, and just take out the Nazis from the equation. Actually, the storyline in "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" was actually rather enjoyable, and the story was captivating and the good pacing of the story made it a very entertaining movie to sit through.
They had a good ensemble of actors and actresses to portray the various roles, and Isabela Moner, playing Dora, really carried the movie quite well. It was sort of fun to realize that it was Benicio Del Toro whom voiced Swiper and Danny Trejo that voiced Boots. And they also had the likes of Michael Peña and Temuera Morrison in the movie as well.
I was more than genuinely entertained and surprised with this movie, and it was definitely well worth sitting down with my son to watch. My rating of the 2019 "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" movie is a six out of ten stars.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
