Bring It On

Directed by Peyton Reed Written by Jessica Bendinger Kirsten Dunst Torrance Shipman Eliza Dushku Missy Pantone Jesse Bradford Cliff Pantone Nicole Bilderback Whitney Richard Hillman Aaron Ian Roberts Sparky

9/10/2000 • Full Review

The best movie ever about the exciting world of competitive cheerleading. A perky little cheerleader of a movie, “Bring It On” offers pretty much what actual cheerleaders offer: high spirits, energy, and short skirts. There is no getting around the fact that the picture is chock full of attractive young women (though it should be pointed out that there is no nudity and no sex). Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the question must then be asked: does the movie offer anything more than a visual feast for the cheerleader obsessed? “Bring It On” introduces us to the cheerleaders of Rancho Carne (which may be a joke--I haven’t decided) High School in San Diego, where peppy Torrance Shipman (Dunst) has just been selected to be the new captain. Her early days are marred by squad problems, boyfriend problems, and problems with a talented newcomer, Missy (Dushku).

But real disaster strikes when she learns from Missy that the squad’s great routines have been stolen from a Compton school by her predecessor. This revelation leads to a crisis of conscience for Torrance, and how she resolves the matter is the focal point of the movie. Torrance has never been an intellectual. She knows it, and one of the refreshing things about the movie is that it makes no excuses for her. It doesn’t pretend that the only thing that will make Torrance a success is being a good student and getting into college, and accepts that, for now, her desire to be a great captain and lead her squad to another national championship is good enough. Writer Bendinger tries hard to include some themes that go beyond the rather formulaic competition story (though it comes as no surprise that the national finals pit Rancho Carne against East Compton). To the extent that the movie is about “coming of age,” Torrance must overcome her insecurities and fears to achieve her full potential as a leader. The movie also touches lightly (perhaps tentatively) issues of sexual identity. At least one of the male cheerleaders is gay, and Missy, because she is new and different, is immediately suspect.

Luckily, “Bring It On” (whose title refers to the challenge of East Compton’s cheer captain to Torrance before a major competition) does not take itself too seriously. It contains plenty of self-deprecating jokes made at the expense of cheerleading, mostly from Torrance’s bratty younger brother, as well as the charming Cliff (an effective Bradford), with whom Torrance kindles a new romance. The movie actually opens with a funny, bitchy cheer routine that speaks directly to the preconceptions many hold about cheerleaders. But it also makes clear that high level competitive cheerleading is a demanding form of dance requiring real skill and hard work. Indeed, the cheer choreography (performed by real cheerleaders, presumably) is most impressive. “Bring It On” tries--not altogether successfully--to mix teen angst, social satire, sanitized sexuality, and class struggle. It features a host of attractive performers (including a scene stealing Ian Roberts as a rogue choreographer) many of whom are probably destined for better things. Its high energy and entertaining dance numbers make it easy to sit through. Had it managed to maintain the subversive edge of the opening sequence, we might have really had something to cheer about. (9/10/2000)