DVD Review: Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom

DVD Reviews, Reviews

Mermaids are this summer’s hot mythical creature for toddlers. At least that’s the trend in my house. My three year old daughter can’t get enough mermaid action in her life. If you’re a woman with a fin, she wants to know more about you. Mer-mania has taken hold of my TV. Guess what had to be the theme of her birthday party? Mermaids are her life. Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom has become her favorite DVD.

“Dora’s Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom” deals with returning Mermaid Maribel back to her underwater home and her mermaid mom. Instead of renting a submarine, Dora uses her magical mermaid necklace to transform herself and Boots the Monkey into Mermaids. Boots is more like a Mermonkey since he has wings and flipper feet instead of a mega-tail. There’s a Beatles reference with a visit through the Octopus’s garden. The evil Swiper the Fox attempts to foil the mermaid reunion. Your kid must help subdue the rascal. There’s a lot of songs that are catchy for a toddler. Except to hear them screaming out the lyrics all day long.

There are two other Dora episodes on the DVD with aquatic action in the storyline. “Benny the Castaway” has a blue cow stuck on Coconut Island. Dora and Boots have to borrow a boat to bring the cow home. “Dora’s Moonlight Adventure” hunts for a lost kitty. Dora with the help of two kittens follow the yarn to find their missing third. They must get in a boat to go across the sea. There’s a mermaid encounter, but she’s a bit character. The toddler often demands to repeat the first episode for the mermaid adventure.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s rescue in Mermaid Kingdom is aimed squarely at preschoolers that are all about the mermaid fun. My toddler was hooked from the moment the mermaid and her mom sang their song. Is it wrong that I’m creeped out when Boots the Monkey stares directly at the camera and waits for an answer? This is a show not aimed for adults anyway. This is perfect for mermaniacs.

The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers are fine for the limited animation action. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo. The sound levels are fine for the musical moments. There’s also plenty of quiet moments for kids to help Dora choose her path to adventure.

No Bonus Features.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom is fish food for preschoolers addicted to mermaids.

Paramount and Nickelodeon present Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom. Starring: Dora, Boots and Swiper. Boxset contents: 3 episodes on 1 DVDs. Released: June 26, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.