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Bring It On: In It to Win It (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

Cheerleading retread has too many stereotypes.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: Social 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.
Violence: A 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."
Sex: A 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.
Language: Infrequent use of words like "ass," "damn," and the Spanish "pendejo."
Consumerism: The 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.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Sarah says she's "a little high," but no one is shown doing drugs or drinking.
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More on Bring It On: In It to Win It

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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 return to summer cheer camp to settle a score against the East Coast Jets, to whom they 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.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Steve Rash
Cast: Ashley Benson, Jennifer Tisdale, Michael Copon
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: December 18, 2007
DVD release: December 18, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, suggestive content and rude humor.
This review was written by Heather Boerner
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Jbobsession11
teen, 13 years old
6
 
good sports movie
I don't know if someone would put it this way but it does have a good message cuz it's talking about teamwork and how Brooke and Carson put away their differences to win a contest.
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textingqueen
teen, 15 years old
9
 
weird
Every time they make another Bring it on the more cussing they put in them. This was the weirdest Bring it on out of all of the Bring It On movies.
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sandsharks
adult
 
great
This movie is great! It is for anyone who loves cheerleading! Fun and good for kids
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bieber_fever55
teen, 18 years old
11
 
Not As Bad As It Seems
I personally love this movie. The first ones were way too cookie-cutter. No cheerleaders behaved like that! In this one, every girl acts like cheerleaders. There's no faking the fact the stereotypes are 100% accurate, and are simply for the fans to relate to. In the end, the stereotypes are even broken, and the gay guy says he was only doing it to see girls change :). Typical guy, so there's no point in acting like that doesn't really happen in the cheer world. And obviously they're in bikinis... they're cheering on the beach. Duh. There are no guts, just broken bones and it doesn't even show it. Anyone 11 and up can watch it, can't think of a single reason they couldn't... I think this is the best of all Bring It On Movies, this site is just wayyyy to stiff about stereotypes that are mostly true.
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mwhit407
teen, 15 years old
13
 
great movie
i think that this is the best movies out of bring it on, and i didn't notice much violence except at the start. i would recommend to watch this movie, but for kids older than 13+
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xBVBxARMYx
kid, 13 years old
11
 
Stupid stereotypes in past, now this is a NON stereotypical movie
I have always loved the Bring It On installation of movies. That being said because of me being a cheerleader myself. This movie was probably the most out of all of them to look out for. They do sorta wierdish voodoo rituals- or do I have the wrong movie? I watched it because my cousins cheerleading squad was in it- Tampa Bay All Stars. And her mom was one of the judges. As everyone has been saying, the stereotypes are not bad as the other films. I mean. That second films Im a cheerleader song?? Really??? Do people really think cheerleaders are really that stuck up and snooty and like they don;t give a crud about the world, just their hair?? NO!! Again, Im a middle school cheerleader. Granted there will be some snotty preps that come along, but that is them. The only reason the y are doing cheerleading is so that they can pull the skirts up to a ridiculous height and be a tramp around the football players. Every squad has that. But real cheerleaders- kinda like how they act in this movie- actually dedicate themselv es to cheerleading. They do anything to come out on top and give pride to their team...that is what this movie is about. Their coming together to beat one team...is that a bad thing? NO! I would let your kids watch it. <3 u katherine
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theflickchick
teen, 14 years old
11
 
one of the best bring it on movies.
I liked bring it on 1,3,and this one. It has a little big of language, but it's not that inappropriate. I recommend it to any cheerleader that's 11 or older.
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nyangel221
teen, 17 years old
 
Hilarious
i have to say the best part is where carson gets run over by a stroller
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directerdude123
teen, 18 years old
 
Very Upbeat
I like almost all of the bring it on's this one has language that wans't very bad and there is very little adult content. There is lots of flips and some falls but I think it will be a little iffy for kids 12 and under
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wondergirl_is_back
teen, 17 years old
 
The best BIO movie yet!!!
I'm an allstar cheerleader and this movie shows that cheerleading is not just yelling "Go team" and that it's hard work!
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