Tara Reid, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson

Josie and the Pussycats, adapted from the Archie comic series, tries embarrassingly hard to be a rock-and-roll fantasy about an all-girl power-pop punk band from the small town of Riverdale. Despite discouraging circumstances, Josie (played by rocking Rachael Leigh Cook of She's All That fame) and the Pussycats manage to make the big time, all while resisting temptations that threaten their "friends first" motto. And as if this weren't enough, they also somehow manage to save the world from a subliminal corporate conspiracy. Then, to top it off, Josie's boyfriend, Beck-lookalike Gabriel Mann (Outside Providence) professes his love at the girls' huge stadium concert in the film's finale. At long last, the closing credits roll to the sounds of the new Pussycats' take on the theme song from the 1970s Hanna Barbara cartoon.

So what's the matter with that you might ask? Nothing, if you're twelve years old, or better yet, eight. Personally, I remember cutting the original Josie theme song from the back of a cereal box and playing it till its cardboard grooves wore out. I listened to it between obsessive spins of Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods' "Billy Don't Be a Hero," all while in the depraved depths of a Super Sugar Crisps high.

On the brighter side, Tony-award winner Alan Cumming nearly makes the picture worthwhile as the mega-manager Wyatt Frame. (Cumming's Tony was for Cabaret, his movies include Spy Kids, Eyes Wide Shut, and the fabulously forgettable Flinstones In Viva Rock Vegas.) Following the Pussycats' rude removal from an unscheduled unplugged appearance at the Riverdale Mall, Wyatt nearly runs the girls over with his long black dream car. Curiously, even before he's heard their music or knows the band's name, he signs them to a major label record contract. "Josie and the Pussyhats" he calls them initially (a name that conjures all sorts of obscenely intriguing costume challenges). Wyatt is all too eager to sleaze as he tempts the girls with luxuries, limousines and an unexpectedly gruesome guest spot on MTV's "Total Request Live" with the real Carson Daily (Oh my God!). Wyatt hopes, however, that he won't have to put the Pussycats "to sleep" like he did with his previous proteges, the 'N Sync/Boyz To Men inspired "Du Jour" who were sent down in their private plane when they discovered the subliminal messages in their CD's backing tracks. Though he professes loyalty that even the biggest name brand would envy, Wyatt's ready to pull the Pussycats' plug like Dr. Kevorkian late for a golf game. Sinister and subtle, Cumming's talent is clear, but it's a wonder where his career is going if he keeps making movies like this.

Also worth mentioning is Tara Reid as the Pussycats' stereotypically dumb-blonde drummer Melody Valentine. Melody's a mess, but Tara's a treat and a tease as she delivers lines like "If I could go back in time, I'd want to meet Snoopy" and brings her dim-bulb dialogue and hip-hugging outfits to life.

Though there's no way I can recommend Josie and the Pussycats to anyone who has actually graduated from Junior High School, it is innocent fun for those who are short of age or IQ. If nothing else, it has a nice "don't let others decide what's cool for you" message. Precocious preteens with a little extra babysitting money might get a kick out of it, but are best advised to rent last year's Almost Famous for an almost real look into the reels of rock-and-roll cinema.