DVD Review: Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue

DVD Reviews, Reviews

Young children should become familiar with the icons of classic literature if done properly. For decades, I believed that Herman Melville’s Moby Dick was about a talking white whale that had two kids living in his mouth. Turns out Hanna-Barbera series wasn’t an accurate adaptation of the novel. Classic literary figures make better guest stars in animated shows. This way you get a sense of them without thinking you’re watching the book come to life. It keeps kids from being tempted using the TV show as the basis of their book report. Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue introduces the wee ones to Don Quxiote.

“Dora’s Royal Rescue” has her playing knights with her friends when Rocinante the Horse arrives on the scene. He need her to rescue his owner. Don Quixote has been trapped inside a book by the evil wizard Malambruno. She packs up her gear and hits the trail with Boots the Monkey. They’ve got a major adventure ahead. Among their obstacles are wicked windmills, sinister spiders and fierce forest. The stakes are high for this special double length episode. The normal length episode is “Dora’s Knighthood Adventure.” This introduced Don Quixote to the show when he informs Dora and Boots how they can becoming knights. Andy Garcia (The Godfather Part III) provides the voice for Don Quixote. They found an even bigger star to pump up the sinister Malambruno in Placido Domingo of Three Tenors fame. Shame there’s no bonus feature of the actor and opera star giving tips to Fátima Ptacek, the new voice of Dora. Even with adult superstar voices, Dora is a little kid show. I still get the willies when Boots stares straight at the camera. This is a great way to get a kid inspired to know more of Don Quixote although it’ll be a few years before they’re ready for a massive novel that doesn’t have picture.

The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The animate image looks fine with a clean transfer. Boots eyes are more intense on the disc. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo. There’s pure silence when Dora asks you a question. The episodes are Closed Captioned.

Dora’s Quest Coloring Book
contains the highlights of the adventure.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue introduces Don Quixote to the kiddie show. This is a double length episode so don’t press play if you’re getting the kid ready for bed.

Paramount and Nickelodeon presents Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue. Starring: Andy Garcia, Placido Domingo and Fátima Ptacek. Running Time: 69 minutes. Released: October 2, 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.