Let’s face it. The upcoming Jem and the Holograms reboot looks like it could leave a lot to be desired in the glamour, glitter, fashion and fame department. It’s a little too early to judge, but it’s hard not to wish it drew more comparisons to the campiest cartoon-to-film project of all time, Josie and the Pussycats. This 2001 box-office bomb may have failed critics, but it found a home in the hearts of fans of the original cartoon and aspiring rock stars of the world back then. From Rachael Leigh Cook’s hot red bob to Kay Hanley’s sizzling pop rock tracks, this movie was a stunning success, and here are 15 reasons why.
1. You want some raunchy humor with your sugary sweet pop confections? You got it.
2. Parkey Posey as a vain villainess was some of the best casting we could ever have imagined.
3. Tara Reid gave us the ultimate goofy blonde Melody and it was spectacular.
4. Those “post-record deal” makeovers were what dreams are made of. Who didn’t dream of living the rock star life?
5. Boyband sensation DuJour made us swoon and giggle with “Backdoor Lover.”
6. Seth Green was part of DuJour and was a veritable ginger cutie. Yes, that’s Seth Green.
7. But they had nothing on Josie and the Pussycats’ hit “Pretend To Be Nice,” sung by Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo.
8. You can’t forget the opening credits’ “3 Small Words,” either. WORK.
9. But the self-referential humor in the movie beat out everything, like Alexandra’s (Missi Pyle) sassy response to why she needs to be along for Josie and the girls’ rise to the top.
10. Actually, Missi Pyle as Alexandra in general is great.
11. But the real star of the show was how well Josie and the Pussycats captured the thrill of the rock star lifestyle.
12. It perfectly encapsulated the excitement of embarking on a huge journey to stardom with your friends by your side.
13. It proved that, even in show business, friends stuck together during the tough (and totally weird) times.
14. It’s a celebration of friendship above all else, and following your dreams. It’s got heart that you can’t deny.
15. But in the end, it knows when to have fun and when to back off from all the serious drama. Because it’s Josie and the Pussycats. Why wouldn’t Josie’s kiss be interrupted by a scuba-diving fan?
