Fun, Musical Movie for Kids

If I were to review this movie according to my own taste in viewing, I would not give it very high marks. "Cheetah Girls" is basically a cheezy, predictable vehicle for Raven-Symone and Adrienne Bailon. But I'm not reviewing this movie from an adult's point of view.

I have 4 children, and they are all huge Raven fans (even my 15-year-old son!). It's my two youngest children who love this movie -- my 6-year-old son, and my 10-year-old daughter. My 13-year-old daughter enjoyed it the first couple of times, but now she mostly enjoys the music.

The Cheetah Girls are:
Galleria (Raven), Chanel (Adrienne Bailon - Alana on "That's So Raven"), Aqua (Kiely Williams), and Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan).

A brief plot summary:
The Cheetah Girls are a Destiny's Child type group of four girls who dance and sing. They are popular among the locals and about to be discovered. Each girl has a unique personality and comes from a different background, but they mesh as a group and sound great. When a local producer offers them their first big break, they are thrilled. But as soon as they start dealing with him, the problems begin. The girls and the producer don't see eye to eye on everything, and soon the group has split. As the story unfolds, each girl learns something about herself, as they are drawn back together. The resolution comes when Galleria's dog is saved from a sticky situation by all four of the girls coming together and singing to him.

According to my kids, This Movie Rocks! The Cheetah Girls dance and sing like nobody's business! We also have the soundtrack and the karaoke CD. Sure, it's a cheesy Disney Channel Movie, but my kids like it at least as much as The Lizzie McGuire Movie. I appreciate this movie for the messages it sends to kids.

What are the messages in "Cheetah Girls?"
1. Be true to yourself and don't sell out.
2. Girl Power - Girls can do remarkable things, even if they come from humble circumstances.
3. Family Matters - When everything else falls apart, keep your family together.
4. Forgiveness - Allow people to learn and grow and don't give up.
5. Friendship - Friends are treasures, and you never know who might end up being your friend in times of need.

If you have kids under 10, especially girls, you should buy this movie. My daughter's 10-year-old friends want to watch it almost every time they visit. I have a hard time sitting through it myself, but it's a great kids' movie.