Bratz: Girlz Really Rock

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Sexualized kids' characters meet Camp Rock.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this musical movie features Bratz characters who are too overtly sexy for the tweens at which they are aimed, the story line itself is mostly benign.

  • A well-trod tale of friends deciding to go it alone for a competition, only to realize that they have more fun when working together as a team. A seemingly mean girl is given a chance by the four friends and develops into a friendly and sympathetic character. At camp the kids have little if any supervision; adults are either mean, clueless, or completely absent.
  • Hijinks with water balloons is as bad as it gets.
  • Skimpy clothes and high-heeled shoes are the trademark trampy look for the characters, who nonetheless manage to keep things platonic with male characters. A surprisingly sweet and gentle flirtation between a teenaged boy and girl.
  • Slang abounds, but no swearing.
  • Tie-ins to related Bratz dolls are inevitable, and the DVD packaging features ads for the dolls, video game, wireless microphone, and something called a Music Video Star Maker.

What's the story?

In BRATZ: GIRLS REALLY ROCK, the creators seem to have realized that it's hard to sustain a plot that is entirely dependent on shopping, makeup, and hairstyles, and they've moved the action to a performing arts summer camp where the friends must compete. However rather than coming up with a new plotline they've lifted entire scenes from bigger hits like High School Musical 2 (clock ticking towards the start of summer vacation) and Camp Rock (the final talent showdown). Yasmin, Sasha, Cloe, and Jade must themselves learn the lesson that they initially teach the rest of the campers: that even with a coveted movie role at stake, it's more important to have fun than to win.


Is it any good?

 

The teamwork lesson is always a good one to reinforce with kids, although at Camp Starshine it takes a bittersweet twist since the "happy ending" of performing as a group means each Bratz gives up the chance to show off a skill at which they are truly talented. The original music enhances the plot and keeps the story moving along. The evil ballet choreographer Madame Demidov is given a fascinating solo with echoes of communist Russia and Red Army domination; unexpected, to say the least, in a Bratz setting.

But for all its positive themes, Girlz Really Rock presents disturbing and unattainable physical images of its young girl characters: piles of makeup, tiny waists, big hips and chests, all swathed in tiny mini skirts and belly-baring tops. And the goal towards which all the campers are fighting -- to star in a movie based on the winner's actual life -- is a sad commentary on the current American obsession with both reality television and celebrity worship, and one that doesn't have a place in tween media.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about the camp the Bratz are attending. Why do you think the few adults in the story are depicted as silly or mean? Have you ever had to make choices between practicing a skill and having fun? How do you decide when you're doing too much of one or the other?


This review of Bratz: Girlz Really Rock was written by
Kid, 10 years old
May 28, 2011
 
Good for Girls that love Bratz
I used to like this movie when I was Grade 1.Back then I was very girly and always wanted to watch Barbie movies.And then my 1st Bratz movie came along.It wasn't the greatest girly movie I've ever seen.I just wish that the brand wasn't called Bratz.(Wow CSM,the movie is iffy for 17 year olds too?)
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Parent of 12 year old
February 3, 2010
 
Perfect for very little girls.
This is like every Bratz movie, one of the best things out there for girls 4 to 8, It is about friendship and team work, and realistic girl characters. it has noting parents could possibly find wrong.
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Adult
December 11, 2009
 
Portrays school as lame, adults as untrustworthy, and celebrity status as an admirable life goal
Unfortunately, this film portrays school as lame. In the beginning, there’s a classroom scene where the teacher drones on in a monotone mumble. The kids are falling asleep during class and discussing the hot new teeny tiny bikini one of the girls just bought for summer camp. The teacher is portrayed as 3/4 oblivious. When the teacher does catch a boy trying on the bikini, the children are saved by the bell and fail to receive consequences for misbehaving during class. Throughout the movie, adults are portrayed as manipulative, bitter, selfish, and untrustworthy. Without a strong adult figure in the picture, the children act as if they themselves are adults. They take a boat out onto the lake at night without life vests, they have no curfew, and they come and go as they please. One of them almost leaves camp to go home early just because she feels like it and never notifies her parents or camp councilor- she just walk down to the bus stop by herself at dusk. The entire film encourages the theme that children are adults, that they don’t need advice or parenting, and that they shouldn’t have to listen to what adults think or say. It isn’t okay for young girls to walk to bus stops alone at dusk and it isn’t okay for children’s movies to discourage children from trusting and confiding in parents and teachers. The film is far too focused on compliments and competition and the Bratz are easily swayed by peoples opinions of them. The children are completely star struck and care more about fame and celebrity status than their art, the work involved in achieving their goals, or the talents of the people around them. The whole goal of their summer camp adventure is to show off and become the star of a famous director’s film. They say lines like “Competing? I thought we were just supposed to show off” and “Bring on the camera, I’m totally ready for my close up.” In the end, they get exactly what they wanted, and parade down the red carpet in stilettos and evening downs slit up to the middle of their thighs. The film also encourages mean pranks without consideration of consequences or other peoples feelings. When they girls don’t have fun on their first day of camp they turn on the girl who picked the camp out for them and they toss her in the lake against her will. She’s obviously mad at them after being forcefully thrown in the lake, so they throw a snake into their friend Dylan’s bed while he's sleeping and this inconsiderate act of mischief bonds them back together. Dylan, is overly sexual. He jokes that he only wants to be a director so that he can check out hot actresses, and when ballet teacher won’t let the prima ballerina eat cake- he offers to be her dessert. He is dazed and starry-eyed over the ballerina and romances her throughout the film. The happy ending, where everyone becomes friends again and learns a lesson about the importance of working together, doesn’t negate the negative messaging woven throughout the entire film. I give this one a solid two thumbs down.
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Parent
December 25, 2010
 
Wholesome, safe, and age-appropiate movie that even a two-year-old could watch
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Kid, 9 years old
March 26, 2010
 
Garbage show
OK theese are the worst role models ever! Even some people like this garbage. I've like seen all the movies and they are the worst! I don't like this show. And the people that make this show are out of their mind! This show is horribale! :(
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Kid, 9 years old
May 1, 2010
 
bad
I have seen the movie on nick and first I thought it was good but now I don't like it. Please don't watch any of these films!
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Parent
July 29, 2010
 
No Bratz, No Trollz, No Sleepover, No Girl Stuff
Boys doing girl things is more for like p----stars!

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Teen, 13 years old
July 29, 2010
 
No Bratz, No Trollz, No Sleepover, No Girl Stuff
Boys doing girl things is more for like p----stars!

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Adult
November 1, 2011
 
disappointing
Overall I love the Bratz films, but not the Bratz Kidz and Or Bratz Babiez, who really annoy me. I've seen the films since I was about 12 and I still like them. I sold all my Bratz DVD's not long ago though. This film in particular was boring and had a terrible plot. Was there even A plot at all? They dress better in the films though, than as dolls, which is great

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Kid, 8 years old
September 5, 2009
 

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This review of Bratz: Girlz Really Rock was written by
Studio:Lionsgate
Director:Mucci Fassett
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:82 minutes
Theatrical release date:September 2, 2008
DVD release date:September 2, 2008
MPAA rating:NR
MPAA explanation:Not Rated

This review of Bratz: Girlz Really Rock was written by
 

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