Lots of fun, despite itself.

Rating: Null/10 (13 February 2001)

Aside from two very glaring errors, "Bring It On" is a overall good look at cheerleading and the competitive aura that surrounds it. A good cast and wonderful choreography really bring the story home.
Kirsten Dunst lights up the screen as Torrence Shipman, recently promoted to captain of the Rancho Carne Toros cheerleading squad following the departure of "Big Red" (an icy Lindsay Sloan). Torrence is fully driven to repeat the successes and become the six time national cheerleading championship winner, but how far will she go to achieve that goal? After adding a new girl (Eliza Dushku) to the squad, Torrence finds out firsthand exactly how far "Big Red" went to assure her squad won. Kirsten's own cheerleading experiences clearly helped in her making Torrence believable and fun to watch. Ms. Dunst is one of my favorite actresses and she was clearly having fun with this role.
Jesse Bradford and Eliza Dushku are Cliff and Missy Pantone respectively. They have just moved to San Diego from LA, and live life their own ways. At least until Missy finds out there isn't a gymnastics team and joins the cheer squad after one of the other girls breaks her leg during a practice session. Jesse's character is mainly Torrence's love interest, and offers not much more than that (except for a funny electric guitar scene) but Eliza takes her role and runs with it, making Missy one of the better characters in the film.
Gabrielle Union chimes in as Isis, leader of the East Compton High Clovers cheer squad. She is understandably upset and aggrivated that while their school invents the cheers, Rancho Carne wins the competitions every year using their routines. Gabrielle was also a cheerleader and it helps with her performance, and Isis ranks high on the reality charts and wins you over.
The stereotypes are still here however, Claire Kramer and Nicole Bilderback as Courtney and Whitney respectivly. Both snobby airheaded buffoons and Courtney has the added problem of being a bit trampy.

The errors? Yes, I remember them.....first one.....Why is it no one CHEERS at the cheerleading competitions???? UCA rules specify that both a dance routine and a cheer routine be part of the performance, the writers and producers seem to have forgotten that. Also, the film shows both co-ed and all girl squads in competition against each other. There are separate divisions for each type of squad.
"Bring It On" entertains in spite of some flaws, providing a fun watch and some really great outtakes and dance number at the end while Toni Basil's cheer anthem "Mickey" plays.
2 1/2 out of 5