Bratz: The Video: Starrin' & Stylin'

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
Bratz: The Video: Starrin' & Stylin' Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Teen dolls pose, pout, and shop in weak prom story.

NR 2004 59 minutes
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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 1 review

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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 while Bratz: Video: Starrin' & Stylin' is directly marketed to young girls and tweens, the sexualized teen characters send a negative message to young viewers about how they should act and what is supposed to be important to them. Applying make-up, dressing-up, shopping, and posing for pictures are the Bratz girls' constant activities in this movie. The Bratz girls are drawn with doe-eyes, breasts, thin but curvy bodies, and large heads and they flirt when in the presence of boys. There's an attempt to be ethnically diverse, but the visual differences in this first of the Bratz DVDs are very subtle.

Community Reviews

CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
October 21, 2021
age 7+

Great presentation of the Bratz!

I don't get why so many parents complain about Bratz. I think they're good role models. They have more realistic clothes than barbie and they just know how to have fun, it's nothing wrong with that! And they do value friendship. Anyway, back to the movie here. It's a cute and innocent presentation of the Bratz, which I think was the purpose. I wish the other movies could have been handdrawned like this. There is a clip where they're filming each other and tell about themselves. And the storyline is pretty much how they're getting ready for the prom and going through they're everyday life, with shopping, beach-time, slumber parties and school. The movie is only like an hour long, so not a too complex story, but there's still some drama in it. Again, it's a nice little introduction to the Bratz. If you have a little girl who you want to get into the Bratz dolls, this is a perfect movie to start with! :)
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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

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