The Cheetah Girls: One World—Extended Music Edition

The singing, dancing, lip gloss-addicted quartet Cheetah Girls grows up and shrinks to a trio for their third Disney Channel movie. With Galleria (Raven-Symoné) off to college at Cambridge, Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan), Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), and Aqua (Kiely Williams) are left to carry on the Cheetah Girls all-for-one philosophy. The gals have their summer sights set on Hollywood, but their next assignment finds them in Mumbai's world-famous Bollywood, working with “mad cute” director Vikram (Michael Steger), who unfortunately only has room in his film budget for one leading lady thanks to his penny-pinching producer uncle Kamal (Roshan Seth). As the friends compete against each other for the coveted spot opposite superstar Rahim (Rupak Ginn), America meets India in the songs, dance moves, and sequined costumes. Since romance is part and parcel of the Cheetah universe (based on Deborah Gregory's bestselling YA book series), each character also pursues or helps facilitate a relationship. In the latter case, newly-single Dorinda encourages Rahim to ask out choreographer Gita (Deepti Daryanani). Filmed entirely on location in India, The Cheetah Girls: One World is typical lightweight Disney Channel teen fare. This “extended music edition” features the hip-hop-oriented ballad “Feels Like Love,” which was omitted from the broadcast version. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Cheetah Spots” pop-up facts viewing option, three music videos, and a blooper reel. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a so-so live-action Disney flick.] (K. Fennessy)