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Bring It On

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Smart and sassy movie marred by raunchy humor.

Themes in this movie include:   body image, race issues, teamwork / cooperation

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Brief scenes of injuries.
  • Sex:

    Some sexual references.
  • Language:

    Some raunchy language.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Bring It On was written by Nell Minow

Parents need to know that although the behavior of the kids in the movie is mostly unobjectionable, the language and sexual references get pretty raunchy. It isn't just the four-letter words that are typical these days in movies intended for a high school audience. A boy jokes about slipping his finger in a girl's underpants while he is holding her up during a cheer, and the insults are more vulgar than usual. Torrence's little brother is practically demonic in his behavior. Parents should also know that Torrence's boyfriend cheats on her (there is a girl in his bed). But Torrence and her new love have just one kiss (and, believe it or not, a very romantic tooth-brushing scene).

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about the way that Torrence decides what is important to her and shows determination and commitment. At first, she tries a moral compromise in hiring a professional choreographer because "everybody does it," but she knows it is wrong, and she is scrupulously honest and fair in her preparation for the nationals. She also handles the results with grace, and she believes in herself enough to break up with the boy who does not believe in her. Kids could also talk about the way that Missy and her brother Cliff support each other.
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More on Bring It On

What’s the Story?

Kirsten Dunst plays Torrence, whose whole life revolves around competitive cheerleading. She has just been elected captain of her squad, the five-time national champions, and it seems as though her senior year will be everything she dreamed of. But then one girl on the squad is out with a broken leg. And then real disaster strikes -- it turns out that their award-winning routines were stolen from another squad, black cheerleaders who could not afford to go to the national competitions. Torrence has to face challenges of ethics, leadership and romance to sort all of this out before the nationals.

Is It Any Good?

BRING IT ON strikes just the right note, respecting Torrence's commitment and sportsmanship, but not taking any of it too seriously. The opening and closing cheers are the movie's high point, the first one mocking the cheerleader ideal and the one that accompanies the closing credits to the classic 80's "Mickey" song by Toni Basil. The issues of the white appropriation of black culture (going back at least to Elvis and Pat Boone) is an important one for kids to understand.

It is a darned shame that this smart and sassy movie has to include unnecessarily raunchy humor. Otherwise, this would be a terrific movie for kids, because it raises some important issues and it is a lot of fun.

Movie Details

Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: Peyton Reed
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/25/2000, DVD release: 2/13/2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for gross humor, sexual references, language

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I liked this movie, because it's basicly saying don't give up, never stop trying you can do this! And it also has a good amount of humor! 5 stars!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    THE BEST TEENAGE CHEERLEADING FILM!

    Very good film

  3. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 1.0

    bad but hot

    mkalv i agree but i do disagree that you hate all the movie the ceerleaders are hot:) thats the only reson i like this movie

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    love it

    this is an awesome movie with some really sassy moves

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Iffy But Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

    A good movie even though I'm not a big fan of cheerleading. Eliza Dusku is an amazing actress! She is also seen in Dollhouse, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and alot more! But I do think this movie alone was very good!!!!!

  6. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    AWSOME MOVIE!

    Good movie! I thought that it was really funny!

  7. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    this movie is ok but theres alot content thats not apropriate for 8 and under

  8. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Iffy but good!

    It was a good cheer movie me and my sister and mom watch it on ABC family because they always take out the language but some of the other stuff goes over my sis. head (PHEW).

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 1.0

    Ugh!

    Since I am a boy, I naturally don't like this film. Cheerleading is boring.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 3.0

    Smart and Sassy

    Bring it On is about the Toro cheerleading squad that has spirit, spunk, and a killer routine that's sure to land them to the championship trophy for the sixth year in a row Toros' road to cheer glory stumbles when they find out their cheer is stolen from an hiphop team across town. Now the squad must re-group and get a big and better routine.

    I think this movie teaches us about responsibility, hard work, and not to cheat. This movie can't be watched by 12 & under.

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off and give it 1.0

    Raunchy, rude & stereotyped

    The movie is mostly bubblegum cheerleader sex with teens. It's funny in some areas, but just disgusting in others. If you insist on seeing it, make sure you discuss with your teen about healthy sexuality.

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy and give it 3.0

    I love this movie, however...

    There is so much good stuff in this movie that I allow my 6-yr old daughter to watch it (the sexual references go over her head). However, there is one blatantly sexual, stripper-like audition scene that I fast-forward through. For kids who DO get the sex-talk, I'd recommend parents see it first.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy and give it 4.0

    CHEER 4 OUR TOROS!!!

    THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE FOR MATURE TWEENS AND TEENS I REALLY LUV IT ESPECIALLY ALL THE CHEERS.IT'Z A GREAT MOVIE,BUT I RECCOMENED U WATCH IT W/ YOUR KIDS FIRST

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy and give it 1.0

    a very hmmish matter

    well i didnt particullarly ADORE this film, but since our friend produced it, i will advise it as a good movie(not that it was..) but to the contrary, ALL of my friends loved it so i suppose its all a matter of opinion

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy and give it 5.0

    Must see movie!

    I personally like this movie the best out of all the bring it on movies. It is funny at some parts but just cool when they are cheering and competing. I am not a cheerleader and love the movie so i recomend it to any mature girl 11+.

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    ITS FUNNY

    ITS GOOD ITS DRUMA ITS ITS COOL NICE

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy and give it 5.0

    This movie is probably for girls ages 10 or 11 and up.

    Well, I seen this movie, and to tell you the truth, I laughed! It was soooo funny! But the sexual content is a little bit of a problem, becuase there was a lot of sexual content. I really think girls in grades 5 or 6 and up could probably watch it, but make sure that you know your kid! Because the language and sexual content, is very iffy!

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy and give it 3.0

    Alright....

    I watched this movie on TV, which had the swearing silenced or changed. But I could still tell that this movie had lots of sex and language. I watched it with my 8 year-old sister and all that stuff went over her head. But not mine. I agree with CSM that this movie has great potential, but is ruined by language. I loved the character Missy and I was a big fan of all the Clovers. If there wasn't so much language, it would be great. Overall, I would say it is okay.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
  20. I rate this title on and give it 3.0

    Wonderful

    a great teen movie, one that is all about the competition!!! I loved it and will continue to watch it again and again. A couple of swear words but nothing to worry about! Go for it's the bomb

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