30 Second Bottom Line: A cheerleader squad from a wealthy area wants to win it's sixth consecutive national championship as the best in the country. The new captain of the team learns they copied their routines from an inner city school, which does not go to the finals because they can't afford the trip. The kids of privilege learn about values.
Story Line: Torrance (Kirsten Dunst ) becomes the new cheerleader captain and her mission is to have the team repeat it's win at the national championships. When Missy (Eliza Dushku), a gymnast, tries out for the squad, she is at first not accepted because she's not in the clique, and she thinks the cheers are for the retarded. Torrance, however, recognizes talent, and after making a personal plea at her home, she convinces Missy to join. Missy informs Torrance that their routines have been stolen, and takes her to the inner city school to see for herself. They meet Isis (Gabrielle Union) and her squad, who rather than "bring it on ", want to "get it on " with Missy and Torrance.
Torrance develops eyes for Cliff (Jesse Bradford), Missy's brother, after she sees him doing a Jimmy Hendrix guitar playing session in his bedroom, while visiting Missy. Torrance has a conflict with her boyfriend who has gone off to college. Some friends think he's gay, and she knows something is going on, as he does not return her phone calls. He thinks they should not go to the regional competition this year with someone else's material, and that they can't create anything original in the short time remaining. Cliff, however, believes Torrance can do anything.
Tell Me More About It: This is not quite a coming of age film as it's targeted at the mindset of young teenagers, with an added twist of more T&A than Coyote Ugly, or some "R" rated films. Adults will probably not enjoy this film with it's predictability once you know the characters and their relationships to each other. Some critics have a problem with a predictable ending. I don't if the things that precede it are worth while.
We know there will be a competition showdown and I'll let you guess who will win. Rest assured that everyone will walk away feeling good about themselves. Hollywood believes in making you feel good as the end credits roll.
What I like most about Bring It On is that is deals with race and class head on, yet subtly. One school was white and the other non-white, but the competition was about being the best and what people will do to win. Seeing non-white faces gives the film an edge it would not have if both schools were predominately white.
Overlooking the sexuality in the film of the girls in the locker room; raising funds at a car wash by cleaning a hood with their breasts; and polishing an antenna rapidly up and down with ones hand; the film does speak to some positive values. There are ways to go about winning that you should avoid and that message comes out loud and clear.
The acting and dialogue are on the hokey side, but it is a teen movie about cheerleading, so it would be unfair to judge this as if we think it's as deep as Hurricane or Boys Don't Cry. So if you're a teen and want to have some fun, go see Bring It On and you'll "get it on."
Mini Filmography
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