“Cookie Queens” is directed by Alysa Nahmias (Unfinished Spaces, Wildcat) and is a documentary about Girl Scouts from varying walks of life all trying to reach their goals while selling the organization’s cookies.

Truth be told, I do not recall ever having a Girl Scout Cookie. That is despite having a younger sister in my household who was a Girl Scout herself. I was more of an Oreo guy growing up. Give me Double Stuf or give me death. Even as someone who is not much of a Girl Scout Cookie enthusiast, I found myself interested in “Cookie Queens,” as its trailer did an effective job at presenting something that was likely going to dive into the organization’s members’ business tactics of upselling while also presenting an adorable story about these young ladies finding their way as entrepreneurs.

To be honest, “Cookie Queens” surprised me. Well, not entirely. I went into this film expecting to enjoy it, which for the record, I certainly did. “Cookie Queens” by all means a delight that I think would make a great watch for families, especially for ones with young girls. After all, this is a film about young girls who are likely to serve as positive role models. I am not surprised by any of what I am saying, but what did surprise me was this film’s range in its cast.

I was expecting all of the Girl Scouts to be like one another in terms of their ambitions. While all the Girl Scouts establish personal ambitions during the film, I was moved to see that it did not solely focus on girls who were trying to sell thousands of cookie boxes in a season. Not to say that is not interesting, but I think much like the different flavor options Girl Scouts sells through their cookie brand, a little variety goes a long way.

The movie revolves around four Scouts in particular. One of those girls is named Ara, who struggles with diabetes and maintains a positive attitude the entire time she is on screen. While Ara has a set number of cookies she would like to sell, she is much more humble when it comes to what she wants to achieve as a salesperson. In fact, while some of the other Scouts are vying to go on big trips, Ara just wants to get stronger and be able to pull a wagon around without feeling the need to pass out. Ara seems to care about the little things compared to everyone else.

On the other side of the coin, you have Nikki, Olive, and Shannon Elizabeth…

No, this is not an “American Pie” spinoff. Get that out of your heads, you perverts.

Nikki wants to follow in her sister’s footsteps. Her sister was a Girl Scout who sold enough cookies and took a trip to Europe. She wants to go there as well. There’s Olive, who comes to find that no number is too high for her to try to achieve when it comes to her sales. As for Shannon Elizabeth, she wants to sell enough cookies to win a free summer camp.

What really brings this documentary home is how much it channels the stress of everyone involved in the process of selling Girl Scout cookies. Sure, the film occasionally shows the customers in some cases paying a little more for the cookies than they anticipated, but for those selling these cookies, this is not entirely fun and games. These young girls are taking time out of their day, going outside to wherever spot is most appropriate all in the hopes of making enough money to hit their goals. Not everyone associates being young with hard work. Youth is a time for play, all while growing into someone who will likely worry about hard work later in life. But that is not the case for the four girls who make up the main cast.

Not to mention, their families have to buy the cookies in advance, so that is money out the window, which makes it all the more stressful if only a certain amount of cookies end up selling by the season’s end. The documentary primarily revolves around young girls, but this is the part of the film that I would find many adults relating to or appreciating the most, especially as prices for everything continue to go up.

And for these young girls, selling cookies is not the only thing keeping them busy. For example, Shannon Elizabeth is also into karate. In fact, she implements her enthusiasm for martial arts into her cookie sales. Perhaps the funniest part of the film’s trailer features Shannon on a vertical video advertising herself as a Cookie Ninja, and telling her audience to “buy cookies, or else,” while wearing martial arts-appropriate clothing.

If I had any complaints about “Cookie Queens,” it would probably be that this film sometimes plays out like a scripted reality show. There are certain moments that feel somewhat fabricated, set up, or overdone, which are not the first terms I would expect to use when describing a documentary about young girls selling cookies.

Does this feel like a Girl Scouts commercial? I can see why someone says it is, but given how much the film dives into the downsides of selling cookies, I think the film is balanced enough to the point where it also critiques the organization. I said before the film features positive role models, but I also think that if some girls follow in their footsteps, they might find themselves under similar stress to the girls on screen. Yet there is also a saying that great risk means great reward, and this film shows that is possible with its main quartet.

On a more personal note, I do not know if this film is going to have any replay value for me down the line. Maybe it is because I am not the direct target audience. I was never a Girl Scout. I am a straight white male who does not eat Girl Scout Cookies. Yet let it be known that you do not need any attachment to the Girl Scouts organization or like Girl Scout Cookies to enjoy this movie. “Cookie Queens” is sometimes adorable, other times serious, and all times admirable.

In the end, “Cookie Queens” is a cute watch. Is it the greatest, most riveting documentary ever? No. But even though it is cute, it reminds its viewers that selling cookies is not always cuddly. Sure, some of it comes off as scripted, but even some of the more scripted moments offer entertainment value. The main cast is charming and likable, and I think the film could inspire young girls to dream big. I am going to give “Cookie Queens” a 7/10.

“Cookie Queens” is now playing in theatres. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, the next episode of Scene Before’s Movie Requests is dropping Monday September 7th and it is going to feature actress Melissa Barrera! What film do you think this “Abigail” star suggested I should watch? Find out Monday here on Flicknerd.com and YouTube! Please subscribe to my channel if you have not done so already! And while you are at it, check out the preview above!

My next review is going to be for “Tony!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Spa Weekend,” “Coyote vs. Acme,” and “Idiots.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Cookie Queens?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!