Josie and the Pussycats

Reviewed by:
Deborah Day

Normally we wouldn’t be throwing stars around for movies aimed at preteens, but once you get a load of Tara Reid (as drummer Melody) in her dental-floss tops and gravity-challenging hip huggers, you’ll understand the enthusiasm. No red-blooded male (or female for that matter) could deny the attraction. Unfortunately, her “puppies and lollipops” dumb blonde act promises to haunt us for years to come in the form of affected teen behavior.

Funny that, since the entire movie (based on the Archie Comics book and subsequent television cartoon) purports to excoriate the fad-making machine. Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That—and she is, she really, really is) as Josie takes the film’s defining stance when she discovers that her music is being used to brainwash kids, swearing not to be reduced to a “trend pimp.” Rosario Dawson charmingly rounds out the musical trio as bassist Val.

Look especially for a hilarious opening bit, starring Breckin Meyer, Donald Adeosun Faison, Seth Green, and Alexander Martin as boy-band DUjour being “handled” by nefarious music manager Wyatt Frame (Alan Cumming). Cumming and Parker Posey, as record label CEO Fiona, slam dunk the humor in this candy-coated romp that’s ultimately worth the dime.

Share