Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Big tween fun as the Cheetahs take on Bollywood.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
It's the last summer before college for the Cheetah Girls. Galleria (Raven-Symone) is already away at school, leaving the other Cheetahs -- Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan), and Aqua (Kiely Williams) -- struggling to hold the group together before their studies begin. Just when they're fresh out of gigs, along comes an audition for a Bollywood movie -- and off the girls go to India to become international stars. But when the young director Vikram (Michael Steger) learns that his uncle/producer won't finance three stars for the movie, the girls are forced to audition against each for the lead role. Naturally, jealousy and misunderstandings ensue, especially when some cute boys are thrown into the mix, and the Cheetah Girls' loyalty is tested.
Is It Any Good?
Young fans of the Cheetah Girls and their music probably won't be disappointed. Everyone else, well… While you'd expect more fun Bollywood beats to permeate the Cheetahs' pop sound, only two songs (particularly "One World") really deliver. The rest -- way too many for a feature this length -- are pretty boring and sound the same, and you can't even tell whose voice is whose.
Music aside, the story is cute enough. The innocent romance between Aqua and Amar (Kunal Sharma), and the way they end up meeting, is rather sweet -- as is the flirtation between Rahim (Rupak Ginn), the big Bollywood star, and the shy choreographer. And woven into the story are a few lessons for the Cheetahs on loyalty, embracing change, and facing obstacles. This makes up for some of the corny lines, silly misunderstandings, and treacly girl-bonding moments meant only for tweens' enjoyment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about jealousy. If you were one of the Cheetah Girls offered the lead role, would you take it? Is it more important to stay friends? Also, if you tied a ribbon to the wishing tree, what would you wish for? Do you agree with the wise man that sometimes what you wish for isn't what you need?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 22, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : December 15, 2008
- Cast : Adrienne Bailon , Kiely Williams , Sabrina Bryan
- Director : Paul Hoen
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 12, 2022
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