Bratz [DVD]

Get your Bratitude on! Bratz, the life-action film featuring the four sassy tween-queen doll characters, drives home the kid- and (parent-) friendly messages of being true to yourself, and friendship above all else. If some kickass fashion and retail therapy help deliver those pearls of wisdom, who's going to complain?

The action centres on our favorite BFFs, Jade, Cloe, Sasha, and Yasmin, starting high school together at Carry Nation High, and navigating through the rigid clique system that seems destined to force the girls apart. Along the way, there are fireworks (created by brainy Jade in chem class), food fights, and lots of cute guys to crush on. Ruling over all: Meredith Baxter Dimly, the Baby Doc Duvalier of high-school politics, somehow managing to be student-body president for at least three years running (maybe the fact that her pop is the principal has something to do with her anointment). Meredith, played to a scheming fare-thee-well by Chelsea Staub, is a formidable villain, but our girls realize nothing can come between true friends, if they just stick together. The climactic comeuppance scene--set at Carry Nation's annual talent show--will have Bratz fans clapping on their feet.

The film's soundtrack is upbeat and catchy, and features big names like the Black Eyed Peas and Ashlee Simpson, and the two show-stoppers sung by Staub as Meredith. And that's a Bratz-wrap! --A.T. Hurley