What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the songs on this soundtrack are nestled in the comfort zone for most families, though there are a few questionable words ("bulls--t," "ass," and "bitch") on the blistering song "It's All Over." Something about the presentation gives them theatrical gravitas, so they don't come off sounding like gratuitous language delivered only for shock value.

Families can talk about the dynamics of being in a group. What would it be like to start a singing group with your friends? If one person ended up being the lead singer, how would that make you feel? Parents and grandparents who were fans of the Supremes, the 1960s Motown group on which this story is loosely based, might want to haul out the old records to share with their kids.

Common Sense Media Review
The "Dreamgirls" movie soundtrack packs a satisfying wallop as a showcase for Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson, not to mention Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx, and the musically surprising Eddie Murphy.

Loosely based on the story of the famous 1960s Motown girl group, The Supremes, "Dreamgirls" addresses real-life band politics, egos and alliances, and the complications of success. Much of the dramatic tension seems based on a real-life event -- when Diana Ross was elevated to the role of the lead singer by the president of Motown Records, while Mary Wilson and Flo Ballard were delegated to back-up vocals.

Fans of the movie will find a lot to love here, with 20 satisfying tracks that include just enough dialogue to evoke memories of specific scenes. A deluxe edition contains additional tracks and a thicker booklet insert, but the standard-issue version provides plenty of dramatic inspiration for kids who dream of playing music with their best friends and hitting the big time. "American Idol" veteran Jennifer Hudson tears it up on every track, Beyonce Knowles seems made for this musical period-piece, and Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy deliver polished performances.

Those who like the Supremes, the three real-life Cinderellas from the Detroit projects, might listen to this soundtrack and wish for the incomparable rhythm of old Motown. But, the singing here is worth it, as is the chance to pull out those old CDs and show the kids what a realbass line sounded like back in the day.

Fans of this soundtrack will also like anything by Beyonce, and might want to check out some of that old Motown stuff, too.

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