Bratz – Genie Magic
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Main Program: C
Since we looked at the hand-drawn animation Bratz The
Video – Starrin’ & Stylin’ (2004), Jade, Sashe, Yasman and Chloe have
become hotter than Barbie and an even unexpected commercial success. More DVD releases have followed and now,
they are computer animated.
Unfortunately, what was at least interesting in the older show has been
whittled down to a less colorful and much more formulaic show with the likes of
Genie Magic.
This time, they sing and overdo the Hip Hop stage act too
much. In 72 minutes, that does not
leave time for enough of a story.
Success has gone to the heads of the owners and when you add the likes
of villains, flying carpets and strange Arab references, and you get a much
less interesting product as bizarre as the CG animated Barbie that came out in
video a few years ago. Unless you have
a big fan in your house, stick with the earlier titles (also issued by Fox) and
the toys.
The image quality of the full screen, color animation is a
bit soft, but it not awful. Color range
is limited somewhat. The Dolby Digital
2.0 Stereo has no Pro Logic surrounds this time and is in a regular DVD
case. The only extra is a short called Pet
Show that is also CG and about 20 minutes, which is more of the same.
- Nicholas Sheffo
