The DVD

Video:
Young viewers are likely to be drawn in by the bright colors and sharp picture quality of this disc. In fact, it is the disc's strongest point. The colors 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. Thank goodness there is something good about this disc. Too bad the same cannot be said for the story.

Sound:
Overall, the sound quality (English Dolby Digital 5.1) is nothing to write home about, but having been a pre-teen girl myself many moons ago, the sound quality is not likely to matter to the target audience of this disc. Teen queens are not usually too concerned with technical specifications, and considering the fact that parents will most likely use any excuse possible to get out of watching this movie with their girls, the average quality of the sound is most likely not going to bother them too much either.

Extras:
The special features are quite generous, considering this is a direct-to-DVD release. Quantity, however, does not make up for quality, which is what the special features are lacking. In Madison's Superstar Challenge, girls are encouraged to pick out accessories and think through how they would prepare for a big Hollywood premiere. Madison is quick to give advice if the wrong handbag is selected, or if a bubble bath is chosen over a trip to the spa. After all, a bubble bath might make one late to the big premiere!

The navigation on Chelsea's Celebrity Fashion Finder is difficult at best, as viewers are asked to look through Madison's overflowing bedroom to find basic accessories and clothes for the movie premiere. It begins to feel tedious very quickly, and even its intended audience is likely to tire of it. The Fave Embarrassing moments is a sort of blooper reel that one might expect to see on a live-action disc, so its presence here is questionable considering this is an animated feature.

An enjoyable feature is Nolee's Movie Memory game, which quizzes viewers on trivia from the movie, such as Madison's favorite kind of pizza and drink, and what instrument the character of Lindsay plays. It is helpful that the brief scene to which each question refers is played after an answer is selected. The special feature likely to be favored most by girls is Barbie's Personality Profile, where they can answer "super-fun" questions (their phrase, not mine!) to determine which My Scene character they are most like. In case you're interested, my personality match was with Madison. Apparently, like Madison, I'm an adept shopper and expert accessorizer. Okay, okay, it's true. But don't tell anyone in the Ph.D. program I'm enrolled in. I wouldn't want to spoil my smart-girl image. Imagine that. Outed as a closet airhead by a DVD game aimed at 10-year-olds. Life is just not fair sometimes.

Final Thoughts:
Not all entertainment aimed at children needs to be educational, because let's face it, adults seek escape through entertainment all the time. But the entire presentation of this DVD is vapid and unrealistic; it goes beyond superficial and into the inane. How about a little substance with the style next time?