Bratz: Genie Magic
Parents say
Based on 4 reviews
Kids say
Based on 12 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the BRATZ wear gobs of makeup and skimpy clothes, speak in clichés, and model stereotypes of boy-crazy, shallow tweens. The girls are chased by strange looking clones, tied up, and threatened, all the while fighting and kicking their way to safety. Young girls may be captivated by the glitz but not prepared for the violence and scary turns of the plot. A normal coming-of-age problem is left in the hands of these unrealistic-looking young women, which in turn provides no positive learning for viewers about strong females.
Community Reviews
It's a cartoon about teen girls
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A great, entertaining movie!
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What's the Story?
GENIE MAGIC starts with the Bratz girls finishing up their final act in their pop routine. A male movie star gives one of the girls the eye. She promptly turns around and gyrates her derriere. In comes the genie Katia, who ran away from her strict father in order to have a normal teenage life. She turns to the most non-normal-looking teen girls –- the BRATZ -- for help. They jump on the case and take her to the mall, help her get ready for a date, and teach her how to move on the dance floor like them. Katia returns to the ship where she lives with her father, only to discover that it's run by villains who are using her for her powers. She connects with the BRATZ girls again, who kick their stilettos and use some sharp Valley girl wit to ward off the villains and rescue Katia and her father.
Is It Any Good?
Strong girl films are far and few between, and the Bratz girls send a message that is unnatural, materialistic, and unhealthy. Based on their popularity, many young viewers are enthralled by their glitz and glamour, but parents must help girls and boys understand that the Bratz are far from reality and not what any girl will ever look like. It's their underlying friendship that helps them muddle through adventures and help others.
With its mega-industry of toys and paraphernalia, the BRATZ girls are everywhere. But what images do they provide young viewers about women? Wearing lots of makeup, show-off-your body clothes, and speaking in a slang that at times is unintelligible, it's a far cry from any image of a strong woman that parents want their girls to emulate.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the unnatural way that these girls look. They all have the same figure, facial structure, and way of speaking. This may be what adolescent girls aspire to, but families can ask their kids if this is a normal reflection of their own peers or teenage girls that they see. Does the way that they live seem like a normal kid's life -– where are the parents? When do they do homework? How can they pay for the constant influx of clothes? Beyond their makeup and clothes, parents can address the bond between the girls and point out that it's their relationship and loyalty that helps them solve problems.
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 11, 2006
- On DVD or streaming: April 11, 2006
- Cast: Dionne Quan, Soleil Moon Frye, Tia Mowry
- Director: Mucci Fassett
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Run time: 66 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- MPAA explanation: not rated
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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