“Bring It On” brings a fun, cheerful spirit, but does it bring the right moves?

Released in 2000, “Bring It On” was the directorial debut of Peyton Reed. Set in a San Diego high school, the film stars Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, and Eliza Dushku. The film’s budget was eleven million compared to its box office, which was 90.5 million. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt released a “Bring It On” musical in 2011. 

Synopsis

“Bring It On” focuses the spotlight on the cheerleading squad called the Toros and their determination to win the national championship title. For five years, the Toros won the title, but their winning streak might come to a halt. 

Torrance Shipman, newly elected cheer captain, believes that everything for her has been perfectly set in stone. That is, until she finds out that the new routine her predecessor left for the team was stolen from a dance squad called the Clovers. Panic sets in for Torrance as she tries to find a new routine her team can memorise before competitions start. Torrance tries her best to make sure her team is set for competitions while dealing with her own problems with school and relationships. 

Positive Morals

I think “Bring It On” is a classic 2000s film that teaches people valuable lessons. Torrance values being an honest person by trying to learn a new routine for the team so they don’t snub the Clovers. I feel like that is an important lesson the audience could learn from the movie. As the movie’s demographic is aimed at teen girls, those lessons are important for development.

Along with its honest virtues, the movie brings about feminism and the inclusion of everyone. As the main cast is mostly women, we get an in-depth look at girlhood between the squads, even if they are from rival teams.

Cheer Drama

Now, while the movie does give good moral lessons, does it accurately portray high school cheerleading? “No, the movie’s very stereotypical compared to high school cheerleading today,” Mariella Spina, a senior at Colonia High School, states. Certain aspects of cheerleading can be gimmicky. 

Some people believe that the feud between the Clovers and the Toros is dramatized. “I feel it somewhat portrays it.  The reason why is that it’s very competitive and is challenging and takes determination and work and can sometimes be full of drama, although not to the extent of a movie, obviously the movie’s more dramatic,” Donna Speranza, a former cheerleader, states. 

Final Thoughts

If this type of situation were to happen today, the Toros would most likely be disqualified if they performed the copied routine, or they wouldn’t have enough time to remember and perfect a new one.

I can look past the exaggerated part, as this is a movie after all, and not a documentary. Without leveling up the drama, the movie would be boring, and this review would be written very differently.

Overall, “Bring It On” is a great movie that brings important lessons that everyone can learn from.