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Bring It On: Fight to the Finish (PG-13)

common sense media says

Nothing new to rah-rah about, but cheer fans will watch it.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the fifth installment in the Bring It On cheerleading comedy franchise covers much the same territory as its predecessors, with the sexual content toned way down. There is some mild sexual innuendo, and some naming of body parts (tetas) in Spanish. Most of the sexual messages are served up along racial and class stereotypes: The East L.A. teens are sultry, street-wise vixens, while the squeaky-clean Malibu kids are either earnest naifs or elitist snobs. But there’s nothing overtly offensive, and movie’s central messages of friendship, loyalty, and dedication make it a palatable, if not original, diversion.

Positive messages: The movie shows that groups from very different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds can band together for a common cause, as Lina combines her East L.A. cheer team with the Malibu Vista high school squad. Together they demonstrate that hard work and perseverance do pay off. Also, friendship and loyalty play a large role in the movie’s successes.
Positive role models: Though Lina can be hotheaded and impulsive, she is a hard worker and a kind, dedicated friend. Her friendships with her “cheer sisters,” as well as with her new stepsister Skyler, are caring and supportive.
Violence: Plenty of posturing and verbal abuse, but no actual fighting; one girl pushes another with her shoulder, pointing out, “I didn’t use my hands!”
Sex: There’s some kissing, and sexual innuendo abounds, but there’s nothing explicit; one character, discussing his love for his car, says “At least she lets me get under the hood.” Spanish is used for some body parts: Lina suggests that her new stepdad was attracted to her mom’s tetas. Plenty of skimpy outfits with bare midriffs and booty shorts, but it is a cheerleading movie.
Language: While there’s very little actual profanity (one girl says “I speak bitch too!"), there are rude finger gestures and plenty of mildly offensive trash-talk, much of it racially tinged, like calling a Latina girl “jalapeno” or “Dora the Explorer.”
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More on Bring It On: Fight to the Finish

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about stereotypes. Are they ever accurate, and if so, does it matter? How can differences be overcome?
  • What do kids face when they move to a new school?
  • What makes a family? There are several “families” portrayed in this movie: Lina considers her friends sisters while she’s faced with a new stepfamily. Do you think that's typical?
  • How does Lina struggle with staying true to her roots while attempting to fit into her new world?

What's the story?

What's the story?
When cheer squad captain Lina Cruz (Christina Milian) moves from East L.A. to affluent Malibu after her mom remarries, she struggles not only to fit into a new environment, but also to inject the lackluster cheerleading squad with a little Latin flavor. Her efforts are thwarted, of course, by an elitist rival cheerleading squad captained by the catty Avery (Rachele Brooke Smith), who just happens to be the sister of hunky love interest Evan (Cody Longo). Can she overcome the stereotypes, win the boy, whip the squad into shape, and win the championship? Of course she can.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
While BRING IT ON: FIGHT TO THE FINISH is predictable at best, the movie does keep the focus on its central themes of friendship, loyalty, and hard work without succumbing to the temptation to steep every scene in sexual innuendo, as some of its predecessors have done. The “Us vs. Them” contrast of the East. L.A. and Malibu kids is a bit heavy-handed at times, as are the racially-tinged barbs, but both serve the ultimate message that two disparate groups can find common ground and work together toward a common goal: winning the championship.

Fans of this franchise will mostly want to see it for the cheerleading, and they won’t be disappointed, especially with the hip-hop and Latin-infused training scenes.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Bille Woodruff
Cast: Christina Milian, Cody Longo, Rachele Brooke Smith
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 102 minutes
DVD release: September 1, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some language and innuendo
This review was written by Angela Tiene
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

orangecatcute
kid, 12 years old
17
 
hiii
hi
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
kim pa pe
kid, 10 years old
8
 
bring ti
i think its abought not to be like mean
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
lutricia stowers
kid, 12 years old
11
 
great for anyone
this is a great movie it is really out going and if you disagree with me tell me why email me at riastowers@gmail*
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (6)
theflickchick
teen, 14 years old
10
 
not enough cheerleading
I personally am a cheerleader and i loved all the bring it ons (except bring it on again) but i was pretty dissapointed with this one. First of all, they spend most of the time arguing, being at school, and going to parties, and only a little cheerleading. The cheerleading routines have too much dance and barely any stunts, tumble, jumps, or even cheers! I think this movie should be a dance movie instead of a cheerleading movie, since barely anything is cheer-related. Anyways, what really dissapointed me is that the main character, Lina, basically only made her team all-stars and went to the spirit championships to beat her enemy. Yes, she did all of that so she would get her enemy to stop. It's not that great. If you want to watch a good CHEERLEADING movie, watch bring it on 1, 3, or 4.
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خر
kid, 1 year old
5
 
i like that movie
but iffy for 5-12. on for 12+.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
coco sierra
kid, 11 years old
8
 
i likd it
i liked the move
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TATIANA KAHIAN
kid, 11 years old
9
 
THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THAT MOVIE.IT IS SO FUNNY.THEY ARE ALL SO TALENTED.THAT MOCIE IS SO GOOD THAT YOU GET IN TO IT SO MUCH THAT YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.
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BieberFreakinFever
teen, 14 years old
12
 
Ehhh...
A lot more dance, sexy outfits, and drama than cheerleading...
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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