Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure (a J!-ENT Children’s DVD Review)

July 19, 2012 by Dennis Amith 

Just in time before the Summer Olympics, your child can learn and also have fun with these three episodes in “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure”.  A DVD to help your child’s decision making skills and also learn a little Spanish, “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure” is recommended for children!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. NICKELODEON, NICK JR., DORA THE EXPLORER and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. TM, ® & Copyright © 2011 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure

DURATION: 69 minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Full screen format, Dolby Digital – English Stereo

COMPANY: Nickelodeon/Paramount

RATED: NOT RATED

RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2012

Created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner

Executive Producer: Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes

Story Editor: Rosemary Contreras

Supervising Producer: Jeff DeGrandis

Producer: Marc Amiel

Supervising Directors/Consulting Producers: Kuni Tomita, Henry Lenardin-Madden

Directed by George Cialtas

Featuring the voices of:

Fatima Ptacek as Dora/Blue Lobsters

Regan Mizrahi as Boots/Blue Lobsters

Ioana Alfonso as La Maestra Eloisa

Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken

Leslie Valdes as Senor Tucan

Marc Weiner as Map/Swiper/Fiesta Trio/Delivery Truck

Skai Jackson as ISA/Student/Chickens

Drew Beasley as Pinto the Pony/Crowd/Boy

Matthew Gumley as Benny/Crowd

Leslie Valdes as Senor Tren/Judge

Help Dora start the Fantastic Gymnastics Show, win a ribbon with Pinto in the Big Horse Show and find Swiper’s favorite things in these 3 big adventures!

In the latest “Dora the Explorer” DVD, help Dora start the Fantastic Gymnastics Show and join her in two more adventures in “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure”!

Are you a parent that is looking for an educational DVD for your child?  For many years, “Dora the Explorer” has been helping children develop their decision making skills and also learning Spanish along the way.  With many colorful, enjoyable characters, these three episodes will help your children learn how to make decisions and help Dora and friends achieve their goal.

In this new DVD release, “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure”, Dora and Boots receives a rainbow ribbon which will help her start the Big Gymnastics Show.  But Swiper has stolen the rainbow ribbon from her and now she needs your help to find the rainbow ribbon.

In the second episode “A Ribbon for Pinto”, Dora introduces viewers to Pinto the Pony.  He is fast, strong and gives the best pony rides.  Dora plans to ride Pinto at the Big Horse Show and needs your help in winning a blue prize ribbon.

In the third episode on this DVD, “Swiper’s Favorite Things”, Swiper is in trouble as he has lost his favorite things on Blueberry Hill.  Can you help Dora and Boots help Swiper get back his favorite things?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure” like previous “Dora the Explorer” episodes made within the past year have now been heading to a new direction animation-wise as the animation is much more cleaner and vibrant. The backgrounds are well-detailed and CG generated. Even Dora, Boots and friends seem to have more shading for their colors and more frame animations.

For “Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure”, it looks as if Dora has grown taller and looks much different.  Even the map is now entirely in CG. The special is presented in full screen but is vibrant with the bright colors. 2012 has definitely been a positive change for the series as “Dora the Explorer” looks even better.

Audio is presented in English and French Dolby Digital stereo and dialogue and music is crystal clear.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure” comes with no special features.

EXTRAS:

“Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure” comes with a slipcover case.

Just in time for the Summer Olympics.  Children can help Dora and Boots find her rainbow ribbon (which was stolen by Swiper the Fox) to kick off the Fantastic Gymnastics Show.  But she needs your child’s help to make it happen!

I know for my family and I would assume for many other families, “Dora the Explorer” has helped a lot of children. May it be to introduce them to Spanish or increasing their decision making skills, the series continues to be popular in America and in other countries.

And with the release of “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure”, the series continues to take a bold step forward in terms of look and quality.We have seen the maturation of the series, continuing to be educational but now showing Dora growing up a little.

I am not exactly sure if this is how “Dora the Explorer” will look from here on in but if so, parents will happy to know that the series features better animation and backgrounds that are detailed and colors that are much more vibrant. I was pretty impressed with how things look and when you watch these newer “Dora the Explorer” episodes.

Of course, the adults will notice that right away but for the children, it’s all about the characters, being entertainment and helping Dora and friends in their adventures.

In “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure”, Dora also takes part in a Big Horse Show and also has to help Swiper find his favorite things which he has lost.   So, these three episodes will surely entertain and educate your child!

My young son literally grew up in his young toddler years watching Dora and through this series, it was very helpful in helping him develop skills on decision making and also learning a little Spanish. And I’m a true believer that these educational children’s shows is one of the reasons why he is doing so well in school.

I can easily remember watching him and seeing him really get into the series and taking part in the challenges. And now he’s older, doing exceptionally well in school but he has done well since kindergarten and even pre-school and I would like to think that children’s series such as “Dora the Explorer” were one of the reasons for why he is doing well.

Where most of the “Dora the Explorer” TV shows have been instrumental in teaching children Spanish and counting as well as teamwork, the same can be said about this latest DVD.

As for special features, unfortunately this DVD doesn’t have any. But you do get three episodes on DVD.

Overall, “Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure” is great DVD for parents or relatives looking for safe, educational episodes for children. Definitely recommended!