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 Reel Life with Jane!Get the latest scoop on family-friendly movies at the theatre and on DVD! DORA THE EXPLORER: SAVE THE MERMAIDS
Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Reels Directed by: George Chialtas, Allan Jacobsen, Henry Lenardin-Madden, Bob Curtis, Ken Kessel, Gary Conrad, Arne Wong. Cast: Kathleen Herles (Dora), Marc Weiner (The Map/Swiper), Harrison Chad (Boots), Jake T. Austin (Diego), Sasha Toro (Backpack), Gabriela Aisenberg (Mariana the Mermaid). PLOT SYNOPSIS: Dora is a 7-year-old Latina girl who always has a mission. Along with her pals Boots the Monkey, the Backpack, and the Map, she invites little viewers to play along and help the crew get to their destination. Based on the Nick, Jr. television series, this DVD includes one new episode, "Dora Saves the Mermaids," and two older episodes, "Treasure Island" and "Fish Out of Water." Sex/ Nudity: None. Violence/Gore: None. Profanity: None. Which Kids Will Like It? Preschoolers aged 2 to 5. Will Parents Like It? The voices of Dora and her pals can grate on you after a while, but Dora is the perfect little role model for preschoolers learning to navigate their world. Special Features: “Clean-Up Song Music Video; “Yo Gabba Gabba” Music Video; Song Selection (9 songs from the DVD); Full Screen Format. EXPERT REVIEW: This DVD includes three episodes featuring the popular Latina girl and her pals. Each story involves a gentle mission that teaches preschoolers to observe situations and solve problems as they explore Dora's world with her. Little ones are encouraged to respond to Dora and actively participate in the adventure. Along the way, kids learn basic Spanish words and phrases, as well as math skills, music, and physical coordination. The episodes on this DVD revolve around the sea. In "Dora Saves the Mermaids," Dora and her pal, Boots, are helping to pick up garbage off the beach. They come across a clam who tells them the story of a magical mermaid kingdom under the sea. But a mean octopus is dropping garbage on the mermaids, and they won't last long at that rate. Dora and friends must travel over land and sea to bring a magical mermaid crown back to Mariana the Mermaid. "Fish Out of Water" (original airdate: Aug. 31, 2000) finds Dora and Boots exploring on the beach. When they find a baby fish trapped in a tide pool, they must climb over King Crab's sandcastle and ride on a submarine with Val the Octopus to bring the fish back home. In "Treasure Island" (original airdate: Aug. 31, 2000), Dora and Boots are on the hunt for the Pirate Pig's treasure chest, but first they have to get to Treasure Island. Thank goodness the Map always seems to know the way. Bright, colorful, musical, and fun, Dora the Explorer continues to be a winner with the preschool set. JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM : One Reel: Pathetic. Even The Force can’t save it. Two Reels: Tolerable. Coulda been a contender. Three Reels: Pleasant. Something to talk about. Four Reels: Wow! The stuff dreams are made of. Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net
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by Jane Louise Boursaw