The DVD

Video:
Young viewers are likely to be drawn in by the bright colors and sharp picture quality of this disc, which is available in a choice of full screen 1.33:1 or anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 presentation. The colors, although purposefully dark to create an edgy vibe, are vivid, the lines are crisp, and visually, it is a stunning presentation. The overall effect is one of a colorful world that any young girl would want to inhabit.

Sound:
Having been a pre-teen girl myself what seems like ages ago, the sound quality is not likely to matter to the target audience of this disc; technical specifications are not usually what motivates kids to beg their parents for discs like this. That said, the sound is quite good, especially since it appears that great care was taken when casting the voice actors; each inflection and tone is rich with quality, and the sound only serves to enhance that experience. There are available English, French, and Spanish Dolby 2.0 Surround language tracks, as well as English and Spanish subtitles, which give this disc a more worldwide appeal rather than just limiting it to North American audiences.

Extras:
Check out the cute wording on the DVD's menu, which includes "Sweet Scene Selectionz," "Super Stylin' Special Featurez," and "Luscious Languagez." It is a clever play on words young viewers will love and strangely reminiscent of some of the slang used in Napoleon Dynamite.

Girls will love the extra episode called "Crush in a Rush." When the bratty Kirstee and Kaycee try to scoop an article on how guys can land girls, it's up to the Bratz girls to stop them. This episode is somewhat similar to the plot of the movie in that it revolves around the magazine, but different enough to stand on its own.

The bonus episode, while generous in length, is the only special feature of note here, although five are listed on the keep case. The other significant feature is a music video for the song "So Good," which viewers may enjoy one time, but it most likely won't be sought out for repeated viewings. The other three so-called special features are nothing more than product advertisements for a Bratz video game, a CD, and other products in the line. Having reviewed many children's DVDs over the years, I think this is an egregious error on the part of the producers. The movie itself does a great job of inducing the kiddies to beg Mom and Dad for the dolls; there is no need to cloak even more product advertisement in the guise of "Special Features." A commercial is a commercial, no matter where it is placed in a presentation and no matter what semantics are used to disguise it.

Final Thoughts:
In a theoretical smackdown between the My Scene girls and the Bratz girls, the Bratz gang would win hands-down. The same goes for the recent DVD offerings from both franchises as well. Overall, Bratz, despite their disproportionate bodies and weirdly almond-shaped eyes, will readily appeal to girls from ages 7 to 14; they've got attitude, smarts, and hip clothes, unlike the My Scene girls who have only, well, hip clothes. Best of all, parents will find no alarming or offensive content that might warp young female brains. Check it out.