Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen dolls pose, pout, and shop in weak prom story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
The Bratz girls, Cloe (nicknamed "Angel"), Yasmin (aka "Pretty Princess"), Sasha (who likes to be called "Bunny Gold"), and Jade (known as "Cool Cat") worry when they learn that they have an important homework assignment due right after the high school prom. When there's so much to do to get ready for the dance -- decorating, organizing, shopping -- how can they possibly come up with art projects for class that will clearly express who they are? Watching their filmmaking buddy working with his camera gives them a great idea. After a few close encounters (with a skunk and a car accident) and some unflattering news stories about them in the high school paper, the Bratz find their artistic selves and use a camera and their combined fashion sense to meet the challenge.
Is It Any Good?
The animation is simplistic (the Bratz have no noses in this early effort); characters are almost interchangeable; and the story is uninspired and generic. There's very little plot and much of the time is spent on visual images of the Bratz in various outfits and poses while shopping in a mall, getting ready for the prom, and visiting a spa.
Taking advantage of many girls' developing interest in fashion, makeup, and style, Bratz movies are simply a hard-sell, skin-deep marketing tool. Later Bratz DVDs include confusing stories with some scary villains, dark magic, and danger. Starrin' & Stylin' is only mildly offensive in comparison.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the teacher's lesson: "Your art will tell me who you are and what it's like to be you." What are some art projects you could choose to best express yourself?
Yasmin learned an important lesson about privacy and the school newspaper. Why is it never a good idea to reveal secrets in a public way, especially on the internet?
Besides shopping, make-up, and boys, what are young girls interested in? Why does this movie present such a narrow picture of girls' interests? Who is this movie designed for?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 3, 2004
- Cast : Dionne Quan , Olivia Hack , Soleil Moon Frye
- Director : Nico Rijgersberg
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 59 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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