Bratz: Passion 4 Fashion Diamondz (NR)

Mildly funny, but still catty and superficial.

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Movie details

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Cast: Lacey Chabert, Tia Mowry, Wendy Malick
Running Time: 73 minutes
Release Date: 09/26/2006
Video/DVD Release Date: 09/26/2006
Genre: Family and Kids
MPAA Rating: NR

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that though this Bratz animated DVD is more interesting than the others -- it includes a reality-TV sub-plot that's mildly entertaining -- it still sends mixed messages to young girls, ostensibly the show's target market. The main characters encourage a can-do attitude that's admirable and display great empathy for each other, but are catty with competitors, fixated on appearances (sporting lots of makeup and tight clothes better suited for clubbing), and obsessed with winning a fashion design show. The prize isn't a wholesome lesson that comes at the end of the movie; instead, it's a diamond-encrusted pair of boots.

Families can talk about Sharidan, who seems destined to win (she's the hippest and her clothes are wearable). Why isn't her talent enough? Why does she have to change her appearance, too? Does this seem necessary in the larger scheme of things? Does one have to look attractive to make it in the design world? What does the media do to perpetuate this myth? Are looks prized equally or above talent? Does this seem fair?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Contestants cheat and lie their way to a win. A TV producer fakes hauntings to raise ratings. It may all be realistic, but in a children's cartoon series, questionable. The Bratz and their enemies, Burdine Maxwell and the Tweevils, keep poking fun at one another.

Consumerism:

Of course this movie is based on a line of dolls. No specific brand names mentioned, but the overall vibe is that of consumerism: the prize for winners of the fashion design context is a pair of diamond-encrusted boots. The "fans" ooh and aah over cute outfits.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Vicious verbal quarrels between the competitors of the design contest. One scene has a character running on subway tracks, and she's nearly run over by the train.

Sex

None, though the Bratz and the teens who emulate them seem fixated on dressing sexy, even if there's no discussion of sex.

Language

No swearing, but some very mean verbal darts are thrown around ("stupid," for starters).

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by S. Jhoanna Robledo

In this Bratz adventure, Yasmin, Chloe, Jade, and Sasha compete against their nemesis, magazine editor Burdine Maxwell and her hench-girls, the achingly chic Tweevils, in a reality TV series, America Rocks Fashion, that has them scouring the country to find the best fashion designer ever. What's at stake? The Bratz's street and fashion cred; If Burdine and the Tweevils win, it means they have a better eye for fashion than the Bratz do. In order to win, Sharidan chucks the bookish look for a more Bratz-like guise. Comic relief comes in the form of the Simon Cowell-like host of the design contest who, like the real-life reality TV judge, is dressed in a tight, black T-shirt.

Is it any good?

It's a fun enough plot for kids. And surprisingly, cheeky enough to amuse a few grownups. It makes fun of the reality TV genre and the music, as always, is catchy -- it's the Bratz's biggest strength -- and moves the action along at a breezy pace.

Yet while the girls show a high regard for friendships, appearance and a preoccupation for shopping take center stage. Lipsticked, lacquered, and dolled up in miniskirts and tight tops, there's nary a fresh-faced teen in the bunch. Sharidan’s ugly-duckling-to-swan makeover sends the message that you don't just have to be talented, you have to dress hip and be coiffed, too, to get ahead. Villain Mandy resorts to theft to win and isn’t very remorseful when she's found out.