CU Film Critic takes on "Bring it On."

Rating: Null/10 (17 October 2001)

I'll be honest. The idea of a film about high school cheerleaders initially scared me to death. I expected `Clueless' with pompoms- and I was worried that I was going to have to write yet another unpleasant review. Soon after the release of `Bring it On,' however, I heard that not only did it star my soul mate Kirsten Dunst, but that it was directed by Peyton Reed, who also created Comedy Central's `Upright Citizens Brigade.' Needless to say, my interest was piqued.
I'm pleased to say that I don't feel any dumber for having watched it. In fact, I enjoyed it. Now, this isn't to say that `Bring it On' is a life changing experience full of amazing dialogue and creative cinematography. It's not- but it is an entertaining movie that doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator. It's a satire, and watched as a satire, it's a fun film that I could probably watch a couple times.
The plot isn't exactly majestic, but does a good job of presenting the film's satirical elements while managing to slip in a few remarks about race relations. Upon being named the new cheer captain, Torrance Shipman (Dunst) discovers that her squad's last five national titles have been won unfairly; the former captain had stolen the winning routines from inner-city East Compton High. Of course, the girls of Rancho Carne (meat ranch) High School are forced to take the reigns and come up with something innovative to prove that they have what it takes to defend their title.
`Bring it On' opens with a sardonic look at suburbia's love/hate relationship with cheerleaders, which sets the tone for the rest of the movie (one colorful character refers to cheerleaders as `dancers gone retarded'). Director Reed and screenwriter Jessica Bendinger have done an admirable job of making San Diego's fictional Rancho Carne (meat ranch) High School seem at least a little bit like the high schools we all know. Without focusing too much on stereotypes and cliques that teen filmmakers seem to love these days, they have created some believable characters and managed to throw in a little love story to boot.
While the film lacks profound meaning, the entertaining parts stick with you. Early on, one of the cheerleaders breaks a leg, and a tryout is held to find her replacement. Along with presenting one of the film's significant characters, the scene is funnier than all get out. About halfway through the fim, in a surprisingly poignant spectacle, Dunst and newbie Jesse Bradford brush their teeth side-by-side. Not a word is spoken, but somehow the act of gargling and spitting corroborates a mutual crush between the two characters, and becomes one of the most memorable scenes in `Bring it On.'
Of course, it's a feel-good movie, but at least it's not a dumbed-down feel-good movie. I'll confess, my undying devotion to Kirsten Dunst may make me slightly biased. Honestly, though, I believe that the reason I enjoyed it as much as I did is that it could have been so much worse. Now that we know that Peyton Reed has the talent to keep things interesting, hopefully in the future he will tackle a more engaging subject. I give the cheerleading comedy `Bring it On' a `C+' Feel free to make that a `B' if you're a cheerleader, a fourteen year old male, or a Kirsten Dunst worshipper.