Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that although this fourth installment in the Bring It On franchise doesn't offer much in the way of actual sexual behavior, the heavy-handed sexual innuendo and some characters' overt sexuality make it iffy for younger teens. There's also some cheer-related violence, including falls and broken bones. More problematically, most of the characters are stereotypes -- the "ghetto" African-American girl, the dumb blond, the effeminate male cheerleader, etc. Though these labels are disproven later in the film, viewers would be better served watching something that doesn't resort to stereotypes in the first place.
Families can talk about stereotypes. Why do you think so many TV shows and movies have characters based on over-simplified characteristics? Are they ever accurate? Does that matter? Teens: How are different kids stereotyped at your school? Does anyone apply a stereotype to you? If so, how do you disprove it? How does it feel?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Heather Boerner
Gimme a D! Gimme a U! Gimme an M! Gimme a B! What's that spell? Unfortunately for a movie franchise that started off with a somewhat fresh, witty take on high school life, it's the fourth installment in the series: BRING IT ON: IN IT TO WIN IT.
This time around, Carson (Ashley Benson) and her West Coast cheer team the Sharks are returning to summer cheer camp to settle a score against the East Coast Jets, to whom the Sharks lost last year. There's just one problem: A nasty divorce between cheer camp organizers Vance (Adam Vernier) and Pepper (Lisa Glaze) has split the camp in two. Instead of just competing against each other, the teams will also have to compete against Vance's team, the Flamingos, who are rumored to have a secret weapon.
When Carson loses the spirit stick (don't ask) and members of the Sharks and Jets are injured in a "cheer rumble" (again, don't ask), they have a decision to make: go home without competing, or team up to try to defeat the Flamingos. And when Carson betrays her crush, Penn (Michael Copon), by telling his secret, she risks losing him forever.
The outcome? Predictable. The plot? Inane. "West Coast Sharks"? "East Coast Jets"? Aside from the obvious West Side Story references, since when are cheer teams defined by their region instead of their school? And that's just the top of the iceberg: The story goes in a million directions, derailed by gratuitous bikini shots, trips to Universal Orlando roller coasters, and bizarre dream sequences. By the time the cheerleaders get to their Breakfast Club-style bonding moments, you probably won't care.
Thank goodness that the cheering is actually pretty cool. Occasionally you can even catch a glimpse of a real cheerleader -- muscular and wearing a leg brace from the serious athletic strain the sport demands. And the "cheer rumble," which takes place through a Universal backlot, is a great moment. But given all of the movie's ridiculous stereotypes, even that high point doesn't make In It to Win It worth your teen's time.
They'd be better off watching the original or the first sequel, Bring It On Again. Or try the reality show Cheerleader Nation.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentA lot of gratuitous bikini and butt shots of the girls. A lot of sexual innuendo (discussion of Carson's virginity, saying she could "take a little prick," etc.). Brooke kisses Penn to make Carson jealous. Carson and Penn kiss once. |
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ViolenceA lot of cheer-related injuries, including teens falling and breaking limbs or hitting their heads (nothing graphic and no serious injuries). Scary dream sequences in which Michael threatens Carson with a chainsaw and Pepper drags Carson to hell. Sarah talks about disemboweling the competition, and Aisha says she's going to "slice" someone "like government cheese." |
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LanguageInfrequent use of words like "ass," "damn," and the Spanish "pendejo." |
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Social BehaviorSocial stereotypes run rampant through the first part of the film, including the "ghetto" African-American girl, the effeminate gay man, and the dumb blond. They're disproven later, but they're in full effect through most of the film. Penn lies to his father about where he's going and the teams lie, cheat, and steal in order to win. |
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CommercialismThe movie is practically a commercial for the Universal Orlando theme park in Florida -- it comes packaged with a promotion for the park, and the film features the park's Hollywood backlot and Jaws attraction. The film also features Boost Mobile, MySpace, the Hard Rock Hotel, and media personality Tara Connor. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSarah says she's "a little high," but no one is shown doing drugs or drinking. |
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