When watching Dora and the Lost City of Gold you may recognise the talented lead actress Isabela Moner from feel-good flick Instant Family. Regardless, this is a great film worth watching and whether you’re aware of the talents of actress Isabela Moner - you’re sure to find out. Not only is Dora and the Lost City of Gold a great film for anyone, but it’s full of funny moments and there’s action and adventure thrown into the mix as well. Not to mention the pacing of the film doesn’t miss a beat, and you’re engaged with each and every moment from beginning to end.
Dora’s parents Cole and Elena are explorers and living in the Peruvian jungle - and Dora happily follows suit on the exploring front. Dora spends time with her monkey friend Boots as well as cousin Diego and they play within the jungle - familiarising themselves with the myriad of wildlife around them. Unfortunately at one point Diego must leave the Peruvian jungle to be in Los Angeles and this upsets Dora deeply, but she still continues exploring her surroundings. Dora’s explorer parents on the other hand, have their sights set on locating the hidden Inca city Parapata.
Dora’s parents ultimately decide to send her to Diego’s School in the city and stay with his family so she can experience life as a normal kid. Dora is interesting in the sense that she is not too concerned with what others think of her and she is very confident in her actions and who she is. She’s also not shy about the fact that she comes from the jungle, which she goes on to proudly state to her fellow peers. Dora’s happy go lucky nature is infectious to the audience and it’s hard not to laugh along with her jokes.
Whilst Diego is doing his best to fit in, he also struggles to accept Dora’s outlandish nature and finds her an embarrassment in the School environment. When at a local museum for a school excursion Dora finds herself left with fellow students Sammy, Randy and Diego - as they all had failed to fall into a group as all the other students had already found their friends. From this point on the adventure kicks in as the four students find themselves kidnapped and must embark on an adventure to save Dora’s explorer parents.
Because Cole and Elena know the location of the Lost City Parapata, and are close to finding it - they have been taken by mercenaries. Dora must do what is right to locate Parapata, keep it hidden from the bad guys and stop her parents from being killed. But Dora isn’t alone and she faces this adventure with Diego, Sammy and Randy who are a little hesitant at first but realise that it is more important to be by Dora’s side than to have her be stranded and on her own.
Uniting forces with Alejandro, a friend of Cole and Elena’s, the troopers travel through the jungle and dodge mercenaries left, right and centre. However, it isn’t until after two scorpions mate on Alejandro’s head while he’s sinking in quicksand that Dora realises he isn’t who he says he is. Dora has a good team of friends behind her but will she be able to save her parents in time? Only watching the movie will give you the answers, and watch it you should - because this is hardly the film to miss.
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Joanna Letic