Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Raging hormones rule in crude cheerleading comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Fired Up
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the film receives mixed reviews, with some praising its humor and entertainment value, particularly for older teens, while others criticize it for crude content and a lack of substance. The film features strong language and sexual themes, making it more suitable for mature audiences, although opinions vary on its appropriateness for younger viewers.
- mixed reviews
- humor appreciation
- inappropriate content
- suitable for teens
- strong language
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Shawn (Nicholas D'Agosto) and Nick (Eric Christian Olsen) are the cutest (and cockiest and most lecherous) football heroes in their high school. They conspire to ditch their summer football program so they can join three hundred teen girls at cheerleading camp instead. Their dreams come true, but over the course of the movie they also encounter the joy and pain of first love; unexpected friendships with spirited, larger-than-life characters; and a lesson in the art of giving instead of taking.
Is It Any Good?
FIRED UP is actually a fairly clever teen comedy in spots. That's if you can get past the strong language, some amateurish acting, a first-time director (Will Gluck) who's far from sure-handed when it comes to the camera, and cheerleading routines that are clumsily shot and show little pizazz. It's a movie about acting dumb and exhibiting outrageous behavior, but it's always self-aware of its outlandishness.
D'Agosto and Olsen are consistently adorable and aware of their own ridiculousness, and they have impressive comic timing and delivery. Also appealing are supporting actors David Walton, Adhir Kalyan, and John Michael Higgins (in the requisite role of the adult buffoon). They're all obviously having fun with their over-the-top performances and the movie's broad tone. Fired Up may not be a teen classic, but it has its moments.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the consequences of the characters' behavior. Is there any fall-out from their drinking or obsession with sex in the movie? Would there be stronger consequences in the real world?
How would you describe the filmmakers' attitude toward the boys' behavior? What role does Carly play in clarifying that attitude?
Unlike in many other sports movies with underdog heroes, the Tigers don't win the cheerleading competition. What does the movie say about winning, losing, and doing your best?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 20, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : June 9, 2009
- Cast : Eric Christian Olsen , Nicholas D'Agosto , Sarah Roemer
- Director : Will Gluck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Sports ( Cheerleading , Football ) , Competition , Arts ( Dance ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude and sexual content throughout, partial nudity, language and some teen partying
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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