Bring It On (1999)

Directed by Peyton Reed. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Eiza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Clare Kramer, Nicole Bilderback, Nathan West, Lindsay Sloane, Richard Hillman, Ian Roberts, Gabrielle Union, Huntley Ritter, Tsianina Joelson. [PG-13]

Newly-appointed head cheerleader Dunst is horrified to discover that the former team captain (Sloane) stole their routines from the East Compton squad, forcing her to come up with a new program in a hurry for the upcoming regional competition. Peppy and dopey teen movie rides the ironic edge between send-up and for-reals-y’all, making it a frustrating viewing; at least the facial muscles used to grin, groan, and roll eyes will be well-exercised by the end. Dunst does well tweaking the lock-step flash and fizzy attitudes of the milieu (and she and Dushku are fetching in cheerleader outfits), but her would-be love interest (Bradford), who’s supposed to be a snarky (mall) punk rocker, is so confusingly realized that it’s hard to confidently assert hypocrisy on his persona. The choreographed acrobatic showcases of “school spirit” are lively fun, but the music is grating after a while…though still sadly appropriate for the trappings. Followed by five barely-related, straight-to-video sequels to date.

47/100