NDSU Spectrum: Movie review

Cheerleading satire ‘Bring It On’ is shallow yet engaging

By JOHN HANSEN

Sept. 22, 2000

While it may not be worthy of cheers, the cheerleading satire “Bring It On” deserves a polite clap anyway. Both the strong and weak aspects of the film can be summed up in one sentence: Hey, it’s a movie about cheerleaders!

Kirsten Dunst stars as Torrance, the new captain of the Rancho Carne High squad that has won the national title for several years running. When new team member Missy (Eliza Dushku) informs Torrance that the previous captain had ripped off cheers from the East Compton Clovers, Torrance and her squadmates have to decide between winning at any cost or playing by the rules. Internal strife ensues.

The film also includes a little bit of romance on the side involving Torrance and Missy’s brother Cliff (Jesse Bradford), an alternating flow of jokes and insights about the glossy world of cheering, a humorous interlude featuring the offbeat methods of a hired-hand choreographer, and some very amusing observations about the sexually enigmatic Male Cheerleader. The soundtrack is only average, and the cheering routines aren’t shot in a flashy style, but director Peyton Reed lets the complex choreography of the routines speak for themselves.

Although no character gets a complex arc, three characters stand out simply with their style. Dushku spices up new girl Missy with a dash of the edginess she’s famous for as Faith the Vampire Slayer on “Buffy” and “Angel.” As guitarist Cliff, Bradford is innately likeable; you’ll be rooting for the guy to succeed in courting Torrance. There’s a pair of funny scenes involving Cliff’s one-man jam session and a strange teeth-brushing race between him and Torrance. The third standout performance comes from Gabrielle Union as the captain of the talented but low-funded Clovers.

The movie’s most fun moments come after the credits role, as a series of outtakes are played to the tune of the ‘80s pop hit “Mickey.” Frustratingly, “Bring It On” falls somewhere between a biting satire and the filmic equivalent of bubblegum pop music. It’s breezy entertainment that allows you to give your brain a rest.

Title: “Bring It On”

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union

Written by: Jessica Bendinger

Director: Peyton Reed

Grade: B-