Comedy
Dead Boy Detectives
Dead Boy Detectives targets teens in style and story. But it comes with very adult, problematic content.
It’s been 24 years since Dora the Explorer first invited kids to help her out on her adventures. Those kids may be all grown up now, but Dora and her trusty sidekick, Boots the Monkey, aren’t done exploring—and they still need a helping hand.
Dora is a 3D animated reboot of the classic children’s series. Equipped with new tech (the Map has a camera now!) but the same adventurous spirit, Dora once again sets out on her fun-filled expeditions. It’s a big world out there, after all, and there’s so much more to see.
Don’t be fooled by Dora’s new look; all the classic trademarks of the original series are back in this reboot. Kids are invited to engage with the show by repeating certain phrases and movements or pointing things out on the screen. The show is also faithful to its source material in that it heavily features Dora’s Hispanic heritage. She and other characters will often use Spanish phrases, then translate them for the audience. It’s a great way to introduce young kids of differing backgrounds to a new language and culture.
The best thing that Dora retains from its predecessor, however, is a dedication to clean content for young viewers. Content issues can always show up later, of course. But for now, parents can breathe easy knowing this reboot carries a solid TV-Y rating.
A minor issue worth noting is the increased presence of technology and media; Dora uses the camera in her sentient Map to take pictures, and she sings a song with Boots in which they photograph almost everything they do. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, of course, but parents might want to be aware of larger issues this might open for their little ones down the road (social media, smartphones, etc).
There’s also the heavy encouragement of—well—exploring. Dora is always on the lookout for her next adventure, which usually involves helping out a friend or family member. However, they also involve Dora and Boots setting off alone into places that might not be the safest. They’re never in any real danger, but Dora’s enthusiasm for adventuring into strange places sans-supervision could possibly leave an impact on more impressionable young minds.
At the end of the day, Dora is a fun and faithful reboot for a new generation, retaining all the engagement and educational value of the original with catchy tunes to spare. Don’t be afraid to say hola to Dora and her friends once again.
Dora and Boots attempt to take a photo of the elusive Quickatoo bird for Dora’s abuela.
Dora’s goal in her adventures is usually to help others; in this episode, she wants to do something kind for her grandmother. This requires her to head deep into the Foggy Forest (a forest covered in—you guessed it—fog). Dora and Boots quickly clear the fog away, but the atmosphere might prove a bit threatening for very young viewers. Swiper, a scheming fox, tries to steal from Dora, but is stopped by the chant “Swiper, no swiping.”
Dora spends a portion of the episode taking photos of everything around her. The audience is encouraged to say “map snap” to make the Map take a photo with its built-in camera. There’s no internet or social media present here, just a brief mention of “selfies.”
Dora and Boots help a lost baby parrot named Lorito reunite with his mother.
During a song in which Lorito copies everything Boots does, Boots gets him to perform several actions, including picking his nose. Lorito shakes his tail feathers in excitement after eating a banana, and Boots imitates him by turning around and shaking his bottom.
Lauren Cook is serving as a 2021 summer intern for the Parenting and Youth department at Focus on the Family. She is studying film and screenwriting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. You can get her talking for hours about anything from Star Wars to her family to how Inception was the best movie of the 2010s. But more than anything, she’s passionate about showing how every form of art in some way reflects the Gospel. Coffee is a close second.
Dead Boy Detectives targets teens in style and story. But it comes with very adult, problematic content.
An elf mage contemplates on connection and regret as she watches her human friends grow old and pass away.
