Lots of Eye Candy, not much Brain Candy.

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2000)

I saw this film "accidentally" (It was the second feature at the local drive-in, and I ended up staying for it). Didn't know anything about it going into it, and was pleasantly surprised when I came out of it - not that it wasn't without it's flaws.
First of all, the eye candy is superb. Not only the dazzling choreography, with cheerleaders being tossed twenty feet in the air and doing all kinds of elaborate gymnastics and dance routines. But this film also reminds me that it's been a while since I graduated from high school, because when did cheerleaders start showing this much skin? Practically every scene features tight clothes and bare stomachs, and there is even a completely gratuitous and pointless bra-and-panties locker room scene.
Not that I'm complaining too much. These young ladies are quite pleasant to look at, especially Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, and Nicole Bilderback. However, I think it all detracts from whatever "deep social commentary" this film is trying to make.
There are some funny lines and moments, but many of the jokes are poorly delivered and scripted. The funniest thing about this is how self-important and serious these characters are, although I guess that was the whole point. Still, I kept thinking "It's @&%?ing CHEERLEADING, for crying out loud". Fans of Dunst will probably be better off seeing the very dark and witty "Drop Dead Gorgeous" if laughs are the primary goal. However, the talented Ian Roberts of Comedy Central's "UCB" fame is absolutely hilarious as the mercenary dance choreographer, and delivers the comedic highlight of the film.
Despite its flaws, however, the film is infectiously cute and fun, and I actually got sucked in to the whole cheerleader competition thing at the end. Worth the price of a ticket or rental.