Paramount Studios presents

Dora the Explorer: Dora's Ultimate Adventures DVD Collection (2003-2004)

"Where are we going? Tallest Mountain!"- Dora the Explorer (Kathleen Herles)

Stars: Kathleen Herles, Harrison Chad, Marc Weiner, Sasha Toro, Muhammed Cunningham
Other Stars: Jake Burbage, Ashley Fleming, Maria Muratore, Eileen Galindo, Kalani Coba, Esai Morales
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing objectionable)
Run Time: 04h:54m:00s
Release Date: 2004-10-26
Genre: family

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
A-	A	B+	B+	C

 

DVD Review

You know the DVD industry is really hot stuff when those multi-disc boxed set marketers aren't just aiming for Mommy and Daddy anymore. Well, they are still aiming for their pocketbooks, though.

Case in point? Look no further than Paramount's triple-decker serving of Dora the Explorer: Dora's Ultimate Adventures DVD Collection comprising the best of Nick Jr.'s previously released single volumes devoted to the network's animated bilingual traveling sweetheart.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of the show, a brief primer: Dora is a relentlessly cheery, adventurous little girl for whom no problem is unsolvable with a little help from her comrades Boots, Map, Backpack, and others. But her biggest assists come from her viewing faithful at home via encouragement, which in turn, helps them learn while making them feel important.

Below is a disc-by-disc, episode-by-episode rundown contained on the set:

Rhymes and Riddles:

Dora Had a Little Lamb: On an afternoon stroll, Dora and Boots come across a life-sized nursery rhyme book from which a little lost lamb emerges. Wanting to go home to her friend Mary, with the combined efforts of Dora, Boots, and viewers it will happen.

Call Me Mr. Riddles: A challenge brings out the competitive side of Boots who wants to go atop Tall Mountain to compete in a Silliest Riddle contest. But hmmm, how to get there? Grab the clues from Map to help Dora and her madcap monkey out.

Backpack: A special episode that takes us back in time to Dora's first encounter with her beloved carry-along travel pal. In addition to making a good first impression on his new owner, he also helps Boots take care of a nicked knee (or a "boo-boo") while Map give viewers at home the route to the library. Will our bilingual friends keep those potentially overdue books back on time?

Big River: While clowning by the river, Boots loses one of his treasured boots. They'll have to maneuver their way around an intimidating waterfall amongst other things, but we "know that" they "can do it!"

City of Lost Toys:

The Lost City: Our usually sprightly heroine is a tad blue over her lost and treasured teddy bear. Ever helpful Map advises her and Boots to journey to the Lost City (which makes me wonder, is that next door to the Island of Misfit Toys in Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer? ).

Lost Squeaky: Ever have a toy you get carried away with and while playing too hard, it winds up in the street? Before I bring back regressed memories for some of you, I'll say that Boots loses his favorite bathtub toy as it floats down a nearby river. Will Dora and Boots be able to save it from the Gooey Geiser that awaits in the distance?

Berry Hunt: When Dora eats all the blueberries in the neighborhood, Boots can't satisfy his craving for his favorite fruit. So, it's time to get out the old pail and go picking. But will they clear all the hurdles before sneaky Swiper wolfs 'em down? "Aw, man", let's hope not.

Sticky Tape: Benny the Bull is in need of a major repair to his hot air balloon. Mission impossible? Not with our dynamic duo of explorers around.

Map Adventures:

Lost Map: During an outdoor play session, Map is mistaken for a stick by a not-so-bright bird. For once, Dora and Boots have to create their own set of directions to track down their friend on Tallest Mountain.

Super Map: While upon Tallest Mountain, Dora hears her mama calling from the valley below with word of a special surprise awaiting. But the journey home is long with a tricky jungle to muddle through and a river to cross. With Map's help (and yours), they might just make it back before nightfall.

Three Little Piggies: A carefree day on a farm turns scary when Boots and Dora witness three piggies go wandering outside their pen, thanks to a troublesome gate. Perhaps the best out of the four adventures with plenty of action and activity.

Lost and Found: On a stroll, Dora and Bootsy discover a shivering bluebird weeping for its mama, instigating a quest to help their newfound feathered friend find its way back home.



Quality-wise, video and audio quality aren't smashing, but suitably acceptable with bright, vivid colors and smooth Dolby Stereo that showcases the impressive incidental scoring (and even an isolated screen specific sound effect or two).

Extras are mainly text-based including a pair of high-tech Flash Card teaching methods (that will certainly bring back memories for parents), a riddle game, two shorts fromNoggin's Oobi and many trailers promoting pre-school DVD offerings from Paramount.

Rating for Style: A-
Rating for Substance: A

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Grade: B+
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	English (Stereo), Spanish (Stereo)	yes

Audio Transfer Grade: B+ 

Disc Extras

Static menu
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
6 Other Trailer(s) featuring Generic Blue's Clues/Dora the Explorer Trailer, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Charlotte's Web 2, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Wild Thornberry's Movie, Rugrats Go Wild
Packaging: Box Set
Picture Disc
3 Discs
3-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extra Extras:

1. Nick Jr. Parents' Guide
2. Dora's Riddle Game/Flash Cards
3. Noggin "Oobi" Shorts

Extras Grade: C
 

Final Comments

Why wait for Nickelodeon to air a Dora The Explorer marathon? Make your own, courtesy of Paramount/Nick Jr.'s triple-disc set, Dora's Ultimate Adventures DVD Collection.

Jeff Rosado 2004-11-09