Hard work and healthy competition is lauded, and the Clovers success which rises out of humble circumstances is a heartening story. As captains, Isis and Torrance inspire their teams to greatness and even end up respecting and encouraging each other. One of the finalist squads at nationals is from a parochial school and prays before every competition. But that is about as positive as it gets. The sexualized nature of cheerleading is underscored throughout .
Uniforms are short and tight.
A dozen women are shown in their bras and panties. Torrance has a nightmare in which she s topless in front of the student body. At times, the girls even seem to flaunt it. For instance, much is made of the fact that a fund raising car wash is successful not because of the good service, but because of what the washers are wearing or not wearing. And if the girls have a hard time being taken seriously as athletes, the male cheerleaders don t stand a chance.