Explorers 4 (2020 film)

Warning: this is not a real movie.Explorers 4 is an American adventure family mystery film and the fourth installment in the Explorers franchise. The film is produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The film stars Gabriel Combs, Jackson Bond, Lennon Richardson, Dylan Bond, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The film was released theatrically in the United States and on demand on July 3, 2020, marking the first film in the franchise to be released on demand and in theaters at the same time. The film was a box office success, grossing over $277 million against a $100 million budget (making it one of the highest grossing films since the pandemic began), and received critical acclaim for its plot, humor, casting, and performances. A sequel is scheduled to be released on June 25, 2021.

Plot
Explorer Johnson goes swimming for the first time and almost gets drowned. Lennon Naturestone saves him as Dylan Waterbottom goes fishing. The two wind up on the shore and meet up with Jackson for a conversation.

Johnson, Jackson, and Lennon go on a trail in the woods to search for animals. Johnson begins to notice an Indian and believes it to be a hallucination. Lennon goes back to fishing with Dylan.

Johnson and Jackson discover a note in the rock palace. The two explore as Johnson falls into the unforgiving ledge, a rock land where there is a rock next to a river full of piranhas. Jackson’s dad arrives and saves him. Johnson then badly gets hurt as he tries to climb another rock.

Johnson and Jackson go swimming again, but are pulled away by the current. Lennon and Dylan attempt and fail to save them as the four get knocked out by a rock after being pulled underwater.

The four wake up in the middle of the ocean, where they are attacked by sharks. They attempt to get onto a boat, but Johnson and Lennon nearly die in the process. Johnson saves Lennon and Jackson, nearly sacrificing himself for the two, as the four wind up at Dylan’s house.

Dylan and Jackson are revealed to be brothers and they introduce him to pools, hot tubs, the Internet, and plants. Johnson notices another note that says “meet me in the basement… or die!”. The four search the basement for answers. They discover drunk adults sleeping and find another note. Dylan notices an Indian spying on the four outside. Johnson, Jackson, Lennon, and Dylan miss the figure and believe him to be a hallucination.

Johnson and Jackson split up with Dylan and Lennon to search for notes. Dylan and Lennon find another note. Johnson and Jackson are chased by robot alligators and escape them. Johnson reads the note, revealing the figure to be across the street.

The four go across the street to search for the figure. Dylan battles the figure as Johnson pees on a tree. The figure escapes and leaves another note, telling the four to meet him at the house. Jackson deduces him to be linked to Johnson’s past (again).

The four go back to the house to battle the figure. Johnson attempts to leave Dylan and Jackson out of the battle, not wanting to lose another family. Dylan and Jackson leave as the three are knocked out by the figure. In the Basement, the three wake up as the figure reveals himself to be Johnson’s dad, who is also revealed to be an Indian. Johnson’s Dad leaves them in the room with an electrical fence, but the three escape.

Johnson, Jackson, and Dylan reveal to Lennon about Johnson’s Dad being an Indian and the four decide to take a stand against him. They go to the pool to have their final battle. Johnson and his friends arrive to stop Johnson’s dad, who’s name is revealed to be Mike, from destroying the house. Lennon and Dylan fish the sharks as Johnson and Jackson battle Mike. Johnson defeats his Dad with their boat by sinking him.

In the End, Johnson realizes that his friends are the only family he has and the four live happily ever after. Johnson moves in with Dylan and Jackson to continue their adventures. Lennon also moves in. Johnson’s mother arrives to their shock.

Cast

 * Gabriel Combs as Explorer Johnson, an explorer who is friends with Explorer Jackson and loves solving mysteries.
 * Jackson Bond as Explorer Jackson, an explorer who is friends with Explorer Johnson and loves solving mysteries.
 * Lennon Richardson as Lennon Naturestone, an explorer who loves to go fishing and is close friends with Dylan Waterbottom.
 * Dylan Bond as Dylan Waterbottom, an explorer who loves to go fishing and is close friends with Lennon Naturestone.
 * Bennedict Cumberbatch as Mike Johnson, Explorer Johnson’s long lost father who is a former Indian.

Reception
The film received generally positive reviews for its plot, humor, cast, and performances. The film received a 97% Rotten Tomatoes Score, stating “Explorers 4 amazingly expands the Explorers universe in a hilarious adventure, all while introducing Benedict Cumberbatch to the Explorers world.”

Release
The film was released theatrically in the United States and on demand on July 3, 2020. It was also released digitally on September 27, 2020, and on Blu-Ray and DVD on October 11, 2020.

Sequel
A sequel, titled Explorers 5, is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on June 25, 2021.