In a year with so many strong films, there are bound to be a few that that slip through the cracks. Dora and the Lost City of Gold is one of those films. Despite receiving positive reviews, and being a modest box office hit, James Bobin’s live-action adaptation of the popular Nickelodeon cartoon Dora the Explorer lacked the word-of-mouth it deserved.

An underrated gem of a family film, you now have a second chance to catchup with the Dora and Boots as the film arrives on Blu-ray today courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment.

Blending meta humour with Indiana Jones style adventure, Dora and the Lost City of Gold follows everyone’s favourite teenage explorer as she navigates the harsh terrain of high school. Struggling to fit in, Dora (Isabela Moner) is thrusted back into her jungle element when she, her cousin Diego (Jeff Wahlber), and classmates Sammy (Madeleine Madden) and Randy (Nicholas Coombe) are kidnapped while on a school trip.

Tasked with finding her explorer parents (Eva Longoria and Michael Peña), who disappeared while looking for the lost Inca civilization, Dora must use her wits to save those close to her.

Offering plenty of laughs and thrills that the whole family can enjoy, Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a treat to watch. Moner gives a note perfect performance as the exuberant Dora. She brings a wonderful mixture of charm and heart needed to keep the film from diving into the absurd.

Similar to Moner, Bobin skillfully walks a very thin tightrope with the film. He uses the humour as a vessel to incorporate plenty of nods to the show for kids to enjoy, while simultaneously making the film adult enough for the film’s intended teenage demographic. This allows for the elaborate action sequences to find that happy middle ground between humor and adventure.

Bobin’s desire to find just the right balance is highlighted in the Blu-ray featurette “All About Dora.” In the segment Bobin, Morner and the rest of the cast talk about the challenges with updating Dora for a new generation. Another intriguing feature is “Dora in Flower Vision” which explores a delightful sequence where the film incorporates some well-timed animation.

One on the year’s hidden gems, Dora and the Lost City of Gold is fun that the whole family will enjoy.

Bonus Features: Deleted and Extended Scenes, All About Dora, Can You Say Pelicula? Dora in Flower Vision, Dora’s Jungle House.