Grace Stirs Up Success

This latest addition to the live-action film series inspired by the popular toy franchise features “Girl of the Year” character Grace and is based on stories by Mary Casanova. Starring Olivia Rodrigo as the ‘tween protagonist, Grace Stirs Up Success finds Grace planning a summer cupcake-selling venture with her two besties so that the trio can earn money for new bikes. But there's a crimp in the plan: Grace's mother (Virginia Madsen) wants to travel to Paris to help her very pregnant sister and master pastry chef brother-in-law in their beleaguered patisserie. So Grace and Mom head to the City of Light, where Grace must deal with a grouchy peer cousin and her uncle's strict expectations (various hijinks here involve thrown baked goods and smashed ingredients). Grace also meets a bulldog who becomes part of a scheme to help the patisserie, and she is constantly being followed by a multi-instrumental French band—which strains credulity. And speaking of incredulous, once Grace returns home and discovers that her grandparents' local bakery is failing, she enters the MasterChef Junior reality show competition in an attempt to win some relief money (real-life show co-host Joe Bastianich is on hand here). Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes. A bit vapid and unbelievable, but also clean and harmless fun—while offering some lessons about humility—this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)