A Christian Mom Review of Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Can a Teenage Dora Still Be as Loveable As She Once Was?

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Spunky, energetic, and adorable Dora, her iconic backpack, Swiper the fox, and the rest of the explorer gang were first introduced to the public in 2000. I had a 6-year-old little girl who watched Dora, and then when she got a little too old for Dora, she used her little brothers as an excuse to continue watching. So to say we were excited to see Dora and The Lost City of Gold Live-Action Movie is an understatement. But is this Dora Movie Suitable for all ages? I hope you find this Christian Mom Review of Dora and the Lost City of Gold Movie helpful to you and your family. The guidelines that I use to review movies can be found here.

About Dora the Explorer

The animated series, Dora the Explorer was a Nickelodeon show from 2000-2006. Our household knows Dora and her backpack. Who could forget, “Backpack, Backpack…” or “Swiper, no swiping?” But the kids who first watched Dora are a little older and Dora is now going to high school.

The only problems I foresee with this timeline is that the kids who grew up with Dora may be a little old for Dora, and this movie is long overdue. My sons, Marcus (16) and Jack-Jack (14) watched Dora when they were little, but now they are teens. Would this movie appeal to them, as well as adults?

Synopsis of Dora and the Lost City of Gold

The movie begins with Dora (Isabela Moner) and her cousin, Diego (Jeff Wahlberg), playing in the rainforest as young children. However, we soon see Diego leaving with his parents to head back to civilization. It isn’t until years later that Dora is forced to go to the jungle of the big city to attend high school that she reunites with her cousin, Diego. With her parents heading deeper into the jungle, Dora wants to be with them and not in this foreign land. How will Dora handle the big city? Furthermore, what happens when Dora’s parents go missing?

THE GOOD:

This movie is full of fun and laughter. Dora is perfectly cast, and the quirkiness of Dora is carried out on the big screen with such comedic timing that this movie entertains young and old alike. Additionally, the CGI which in no way compares to a Disney film fits perfectly in this film. Boots (the monkey and Dora’s sidekick), is so goofy looking with his computer-generated effects that it makes the movie even funnier. Furthermore, Swiper, the fox is great in this less than stellar CGI environment.

The teenage Dora has maintained her sweet, playful and childlike qualities. Remember when Dora looked at the television screen and told you, “Say, Swiper, No Swiping?” When a teenage Dora tells you to say it, it brings a smile to your heart.

Almost everything is great for all audiences, but there are a few moments that may make an adult wish their children weren’t in the audience. 

THE BAD:

There are a few instances of crude language in this film that some parents may object to including freaking, loser, dork, poo, and shut up.

Furthermore, the content of the film includes danger and peril. This includes:

Bad guys with arrows and guns chasing the teens

Being trapped in quick-sand

Long discussion about pooping in the jungle complete with a Dora song about poo while she digs a hole.

Teens and adults being kidnapped and held against their will

Bats fly out of a cave at Dora

Several times there are comments about “teens mating.” Apparently, since Dora was raised in the jungle by professor parents, she looks at mating from a very jungle-like perspective.

Scorpions crawl on a man’s head and spiders jump out.

A plant causes hallucinations

There is a naked cartoon character – you only see him from behind, but it is an unnecessary scene.

At the end a teenage couple kisses.

Spiritual Elements:

At one point there is a temple that has a “golden statue.” And a phrase regarding making an offering to the gods that is much revered is uttered. The correct offering will be accepted, but the wrong offering will lead to death.

The Lost City of Gold refers to the lost Inca civilization. This city and the beliefs of the Incas can be a teachable moment for your children. While Christians obviously don’t believe in many gods, we can compare the golden statues in the movie with the golden calf built by the Israelites.

Another teachable moment involves the pursuit of gold and wealth. 1 Timothy 6:10 says “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

My Recommendation and Final Thoughts for a Christian Mom Review of Dora and the Lost City of Gold

I loved so much about this movie. However, I knew the story of Dora the Explorer. It helps to watch some episodes of Dora before seeing the film if you have never seen them before. Before going, our family watched old episodes so everyone was up to speed on all the characters.

Be warned, this movie is not for young children. It is rated PG for “action and some impolite humor.” In fact, there are some things you may not want your young child to see and hear. Additionally, if your child is afraid of bad guys with guns, this may not be the movie to take them to.

My overall recommendation is ages 6-8 and up. The audiences that will appreciate this movie the most are the original watchers of the Dora cartoon and their parents.

One other thing worth mentioning – stay until the very end after the credits!

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