Bring It On ***½ (2000, Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union) – Classic Movie Review 2135

‘I’m sexy. I’m cute. I’m popular to boot. I’m bitching. Great hair. The boys like to stare.’ Director Peyton Reed’s hilarious 2000 high-school comedy is a witty look at fear, loathing and the desperate need to win in the American cheerleading world.

The Toro cheerleading team from Rancho Carne High School in San Diego has guts, spirit and a killer routine that’s sure to land them the national championship trophy for the sixth time in a row. But, newly elected team captain Torrance (Kirsten Dunst) is crushed to find her new routines were actually stolen from the Clovers, a hip-hop squad from East Compton, by the team’s ex-captain.

While The Toros struggle to come up with a new routine, the Clovers, led by Isis (Gabrielle Union), have problems coming up with enough money to cover their travel expenses to the championships. Both captains drive their squads to the point of exhaustion, but only one team can bring home the title.

This funny, good-natured movie, with a gift of an idea, is naturally campy, pacy and vibrant. Dunst is spot on, and Jesse Bradford is sweet too as the new boy on the block she might, just might, end up with.

Peyton Reed is also known for Down with Love (2003), The Break-Up (2006), Yes Man (2008) and Ant-Man (2015).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2135

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