If your first reflex when picking up a remote control is to click to MTV, then Josie and the Pussycats will be a must see. You might just find it perversely enticing, drawing a few chuckles and scoffs, especially the scene where a member of the fictional boy band, DuJour, explains the reason for his body cast — landing in the middle of a Metallica concert.

The creative inspiration for the movie was the 1970s Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoon. Although the movie has all the elements of a quality cartoon, evil villains and lovable heroines, I left the theater with a significantly smaller sense of satisfaction than I glean from a couch viewing of Scooby Doo. The movie follows the trials and triumphs of a band comprised of three cute girls, desperate for a taste of success. They get their big break and come to a groundbreaking conclusion — fame isn't all that it's cut out to be — while simultaneously uncovering the sinister plot of MegaRecords, headed by Fiona (Parker Posey) and Wyatt Frame (Alan Cummings).

The flick employs the limited charms of Tara Reid, who some of us may know from American Pie. Reid plays annoyingly vacuous and bubbly Melody Valentine, one third of Josie and the Pussycats. Rocking beside her are Rachael Leigh Cook and Rosario Dawson, who fit into their roles as skeptical singer Josie McCoy and spotlight starved bassist Valerie Brown like a pair of shoes two sizes too small.

As the credits role, one wonders, is this movie, which appears to be a satire of a society obsessed with consumption, conformity and Britney Spears, only perpetuating teenage trends and backwards values? With every Josie and the Pussycats ticket stub sold, someone's pocket gets fatter, and it ain't yours or mine.

— Reviewed by Marlena Hartz