Review: This should be a movie I would not like. I, for the most part, can't stand cartoon characters being turned into live action for the sake of a movie. To add to that I never grew up with Dora the Explorer. In fact I have never seen one episode. So nostalgia is not on my side for this movie either. That's why it is such a surprise that I enjoyed this movie like I did.
The heart of this film lies in Dora herself. This character is handled very carefully. In many ways this movie highlights the stranger aspects of her character for comedy's sake. She is extremely energetic, positive, very socially awkward, speaks to an audience no one else can see and likes to make up songs about everything. Despite this the character never becomes a caricature. She always feels real enough for us to root for and relate to. Deep down she is the nicest and most loving person you could ever wish to meet. I can't see anyone watching this movie and by the end not wanting a friend like Dora. Characters like this also tell us socially awkward people that we are not alone and that we are as deserving of love as anyone else. What really makes this character real though is Isabela Moner's excellent performance The performance is so energetic and you perfectly believe that this young woman is really enjoying herself to the fullest. As much energy as she brings to the comedy, she also brings extreme sincerity to the more dramatic parts. She does this without making it seem like she is playing two different characters the transition seems so naturally. The other highlight of this movie is Swiper the fox. Though his character does not get as much screen time as he should, he does bring many of the film's biggest laughs. The action scenes are also very fast paced and fun.
Unfortunately as fun as Dora and Swiper are the rest of the characters are simply movie stereotypes and are not that interesting at all. This film certainly could used a better villain (heck why not make Swiper the main villain). It is also easy to see almost every story point before they happen.
This movie while not a perfect film was certainly a pleasant surprise.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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