Bring It On

Released in 2000, the American teen comedy movie, Bring It On, became an instant success and spawned an entire franchise due to its unique take on the world of competitive cheerleading. The film, directed by Peyton Reed, stars Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, and Jesse Bradford, among others, and has equally impressed both the teenage and adult audiences with its sharp dialogue, infectious energy, and relatable teen struggles.

The movie centers around Torrance Shipman, played by Kirsten Dunst, who takes over as the captain of the five-time national championship winning cheerleading squad, the Rancho Carne Toros. Torrance, who is optimistic, dedicated, and passionate about cheerleading, faces an array of dilemmas and confrontations. The film reflects her journey through the complicated and fiercely competitive world of high school cheerleading, full of backflips, backstabs, and delightful teen drama.

Firstly, Torrance discovers that her predecessor had been stealing their award-winning routines from the talented and passionate Clovers, an inner-city school cheerleading team. This discovery puts Torrance in a moral quandary and makes her determined to come up with an original and winning routine. As she grapples with her newly acquired leadership role, she also has to manage a contentious team that’s on the verge of falling apart and rivalries that threaten to destroy everything they’ve worked for.

Eliza Dushku plays the role of Missy Pantone, a new student and gifted gymnast who becomes an unlikely ally and invaluable addition to the Toros squad. Missy’s entry provides an interesting dynamic as her initial cynicism towards cheerleading is slowly replaced with begrudging respect and dedication. A sub-plot also involves Missy's brother, Cliff, played by Jesse Bradford, who develops a romantic interest in Torrance.

The film shines a spotlight on the competitive cheerleading scene, going beyond typical connotations of cheerleading, to explore themes like teamwork, ambition, ethics, and sportsmanship. The characters are faced with difficult decisions and the narrative embraces these opportunities to examine their morals. Instead of focusing only on rivalry, the narrative explores the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and personal values, making the film much more than a simplistic teen drama.

One striking aspect of Bring It on is its approach towards issues of class and cultural appropriation. With the school's cheerleading team in hot water for stealing routines, the narrative pivots to focus on their privileged position and contrasts it against the less affluent and more determined Clovers, led by team captain, Isis, played by Gabrielle Union. The Toros are put in a place where they must confront their own unfair advantage and make amends. This presentation of socio-economic disparity adds a layer of complexity to the film that allows it an edge over other teen comedies.

The film is packed with high-energy cheerleading sequences filled with intricate choreography that are bound to excite viewers and become a treat for dance enthusiasts. But even for those who aren’t particularly interested in cheerleading, the film offers plenty of entertainment with its lively and engaging characters, snappy dialogue, and moments of sharp humor.

Kirsten Dunst shines as Torrance, perfectly portraying the character's endearing optimism, vulnerability, and fierce determination. Dushku, Bradford, and Union also deliver commendable performances making their characters memorable and relatable. The chemistry between the cast, especially the romantic tension between Dunst and Bradford, adds to the movie's charm.

The film is supported by a strong soundtrack featuring artists like Blink-182 and B*Witched. The filmmaking, editing, sound mixing, and production design work in harmony to create a captivating movie experience that captures the high-stakes world of cheerleading in a light-hearted yet compelling way.

In conclusion, Bring It On offers more than just cheerleading. It provides a balanced mixture of comedy, drama, romance, social commentary, and sportsmanship, which makes it a perfect blend of entertainment. Far from being a run-of-the-mill teen comedy, it offers viewers an engaging storyline and well-rooted characters, making it a memorable and enjoyable watch. With its lively spirit and fun-filled narrative, Bring It On stands as a well-crafted film that resonates with a wide array of audiences.