Pixel Perfect

Pixel Perfect

Disney's sprightly cable movie about a teen computer whiz who conjures a holographic lead singer for his friend's struggling teeny-pop band rises above typical kidflick fare by deftly interweaving cautionary themes and moral concerns from sources as unlikely as <I>A Star is Born</I> and <I>The Bride of Frankenstein</I>. And while its soundtrack bubbles with the expected effervescent teen-pop concoctions, they're informed with a lyrical bent that often addresses some of the most troubling questions facing kids growing up in a society fueled by image-conscious hype. Huckapoo's bouncing "Perfectly" sets the tone, while the film's fictional Zetta Bytes pick up the sometimes insecure, ever affirmation-conscious thread on "Nothing's Wrong With Me," "Notice Me," "Get Real" and the wistful ballad "When the Rain Falls." That modern rock-meets-bubblegum sound is bolstered by LaLaine's anthem "If You Wanna Rock" and the rhythmic pop-hop of Lil' J and Chase's "Tru Blu." <I>--Jerry McCulley</I>