Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Bring It On Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 9, 2014

Before “Bring It On” was released in 2000, cheerleading movies tended to favor exploitation features that emphasized nudity or derogatory comedies that treated the spirit-focused without respect, often turned into the punchline for lame jokes. And don’t even ask about male cheerleaders in these productions. “Bring It On” takes the sport to a whole new level of concentration, detailing the insatiable achievement appetites of school squads as they ferociously compete for a national championship. It’s not an original picture, but it’s determined to celebrate the skill and neuroses of the cheerleaders without pronounced derision, resulting in an engagingly manic effort, but one that’s not nearly as funny as it would like to believe.

At Rancho Carne High School, cheerleading is everything to student Torrance (Kirsten Dunst), who aching to be named head cheerleader of school squad the Toros, continuing the aggressive pursuit of dominance started by graduating member, Big Red (Lindsay Slone). Requiring a new cheerleader to help fill a gap caused by an accident, the squad welcomes Missy (Eliza Dushku) to the team, though the new student isn’t sure her cynical ways are a good fit, while her brother, Cliff (Jesse Bradford), welcomes the assimilation, attracted to Torrance and her indefatigable spirit. When she realizes routines established by Big Red are actually stolen from the East Compton Clovers, led by icy Isis (Gabrielle Union), Torrance loses confidence, requiring support from the splintered Toros and outside influences as she attempts to rebuild what was lost.

Director Peyton Reed and screenwriter Jessica Bendinger (who tried to reheat her formula for 2006’s “Stick It”) favor bigness when it comes to the antics contained in “Bring It On.” Summoning blinding cheerleading spirit, the production turns the quest for trophies into a cartoon, complete with aggressive close-ups and screamed line readings, while the writing retains finger-snap timing and an interest in developing its own vocabulary (e.g. Torrance demanding that the Toros are not a “cheerocracy”), always on the go in terms of characterization and plotting (a mid-movie detour with the Toros and a professional choreographer harboring an obsession with “spirit fingers” is amusing).

It’s a swift film, which works well for the endeavor, never content to remain in one place for very long. Speed helps to keep attention away from Reed’s rather aggressive way with performances (indication is practically a supporting character) and formulaic bumps in the road, including a completely programmed romantic spark between Torrance and Cliff, with their union complicated by the cheerleader’s smarmy college-bound boyfriend, Aaron (Richard Hillman). That the movie even attempts to transform into a lament for stymied love in the third act is perhaps the funniest punchline of them all. There’s nothing authentic about “Bring It On,” which is at its best when completely immersed in satirical superficiality.

Characters and their woes are perhaps secondary to the viewing experience, which is all about the cheerleading sequences. Moving from rehearsal montages to a Big Game finale in Daytona, Florida, “Bring It On” shows real flair when it focuses on flipping bodies and stomp-happy routines. Understandably, the material eventually found its way to the Broadway stage, as Reed practically plays the feature as a musical, with frequent breaks from the story to take in fluid gymnastic moves and barbed, rhythmic cheers. These moments are fun and make good use of the cast, who are much more interesting executing choreographed bursts of cheerleader movement.

There’s an issue of homophobia in “Bring It On,” which other writers have suggested is a play on cheerleading archetypes. It’s a flimsy argument, as Bendinger is all too eager to spread gay slurs around to beef up her script, not to extend characterization, making the picture’s unease with homosexuality feel old-fashioned, even for 2000. It’s an unnecessary addition, darkening what should be good-natured material.

Bring It On Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation emerges as yet another Universal released content to work with an older master, lacking HD snap. The viewing experience isn't disastrous, but it doesn't spring to life in a manner befitting such a manic movie. Colors are acceptable but never alert, looking slightly aged and flat with costuming and sunny locations, while skintones aren't as robust as hoped for, especially when the feature is all about faces and exposed skin. Filtering is present, featuring halos and softness, smoothing out the image in a way that robs it of its filmic potential, diluting detail. Blacks aren't challenged in full, but there are periodic moments of crush. Print in is fine shape, without any overt damage.

Bring It On Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a proper amount of power for this spirited picture. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and easy to follow, with a comfortable group dynamic and a sense of balance when it comes to aggressive acting, controlling extremes. Music is big here, with scoring supporting as intended, while soundtrack cuts bring a hearty bass to the listening experience, keeping the beat of the cheer sequences alive with a pronounced thump. Atmospherics are satisfactory, maintaining crowd response during sporting events. Surrounds are only moderately employed, pushing music out in a perfunctory manner, but a few surges offer surprise, with the mid-movie spirit stick nightmare scene using the soundscape in full.

Bring It On Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary with director Peyton Reed is included.

• Making Of (14:18, SD) is a featurette produced for cable television, spotlighting the planning and production of "Bring It On." Cast and crew interviews are conducted on-set and provide no identification, with a few of the participants completely unknown. It's a glossy effort with little substance, celebrating choreography and thespian stamina, with a few BTS shots easily emerging as highlights.

• Deleted Scenes (13:38, SD) cover brief bits of character, including a complicated SAT cheer to help one of the girls out with her studies, sweaty monitoring from a pervy science teacher, and a few additions to the ending -- one that displays Torrance asking the audience to cheer if they want to see her rear. They are viewed with introductions from Reed.

• Extended Scenes (6:26, SD) offer an elongated stedicam visit to the girls locker room and additional time with a stripper trying out for the Toros. They are viewed with introductions from Reed.

• "Home Movies of the Car Wash Scene" (2:49, SD) is an edited montage of the bikini-fest sequence, where male producers and fringe players picked up Super 8 cameras and ogled the stars, who play along to the best of their ability.

• Wardrobe & Make-Up Test (:42, SD) is a short clip of Dunst and Dushku bopping and vamping as they try out hairstyles and outfits.

• "As If" (3:52, SD) is a music video from the group Blaque.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:14, SD) is included.

Bring It On Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Conflicts are suitably frenzied and Dunst's commitment to the tone of the movie is laudable, putting in an energetic effort (blending arrogance with anxiety as Torrance deals with bad juju and the pressures of leadership) that supports Reed's periodically unsteady direction. While "Bring It On" did well during its initial theatrical release, it's become a cult favorite for many and a bible of sorts to the sport. A throng of DTV sequels have come and gone, but the original is perhaps the purest expression of silliness and movement, and while an inviting sense of humor doesn't make it to the screen, enough sporting enthusiasm and candied filmmaking is present to satisfy.