Bring It On

In the summer of 2000, a modestly budgeted teen comedy about competitive cheerleading slipped into theaters and promptly outperformed every expectation. Directed by Peyton Reed and written by Jessica Bendinger, Bring It On turned a subject often dismissed as frivolous into a sharp, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful examination of race, class, and integrity. Starring Kirsten Dunst as a newly appointed cheer captain who discovers her squad's championship routines were stolen from a Black high school team, the film resonated with audiences and critics alike, grossing over $90 million worldwide on an $11 million budget.

What made the film stand out was its willingness to engage with serious themes while still delivering the energetic dance sequences and quotable one-liners that fans loved. The cast, including Eliza Dushku, Gabrielle Union, and Jesse Bradford, brought genuine chemistry to their roles, and the choreography by the professional dance team Hi-Hat gave the routines an athletic credibility rarely seen in teen movies. The film's success spawned a franchise of six sequels, though none featured the original cast, and a stage musical adaptation that earned critical praise.

Two decades later, Bring It On remains a touchstone of early 2000s pop culture. Its legacy is visible in the countless memes and references that still circulate online, and its themes of cultural appropriation and doing the right thing feel as relevant as ever. For anyone who grew up in that era, the film is a nostalgic favorite; for newcomers, it's a time capsule of a particular moment in teen cinema, executed with wit and heart. [edit]

At Rancho Carne High School in San Diego, cheerleading is treated like a varsity sport, and the Toros have won five consecutive national championships. Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst), a senior with a sunny disposition, has just been named captain, inheriting the position from the manipulative Big Red (Lindsay Sloane), who has graduated. Torrance is immediately thrust into the pressure of maintaining the squad's winning tradition, while navigating the ambitions of teammates Whitney (Nicole Bilderback) and Courtney (Clare Kramer), who are eager to see her fail, and her relationship with her boyfriend Aaron (Richard Hillman), who seems more interested in her status than her as a person.

When a new student, Missy Pantone (Eliza Dushku), transfers from Los Angeles, she joins the squad and quickly bonds with Torrance. Missy, a talented gymnast, reveals a devastating secret: Big Red had stolen all of the Toros' championship routines from a predominantly Black inner-city school in Los Angeles called East Compton Clovers, led by the fierce and proud captain Isis (Gabrielle Union). The Clovers have been competing with original routines, which the Toros have been passing off as their own.

Torrance faces a moral dilemma. She can either come clean and risk losing the national championship, or she can continue using the stolen routines and perpetuate the deception. Choosing to do the right thing, she decides that the Toros will create an entirely original routine for nationals. This decision sets off a chain of events that tests the squad's unity, creativity, and integrity.

As Torrance works to build a new routine, she faces resistance from her teammates, who are skeptical of her leadership and resent the extra work. She also clashes with Isis, who is understandably furious about the theft and demands acknowledgment. The rivalry between the Toros and the Clovers intensifies as both squads prepare for the national competition. Meanwhile, Torrance develops a romantic connection with Cliff Pantone (Jesse Bradford), Missy's older brother, a charming and laid-back guy who works at a local restaurant. Their relationship provides a counterpoint to the high-stakes cheerleading drama.

The film explores themes of cultural appropriation, class differences, and the ethics of competition. Torrance must rally her team, overcome their internal divisions, and find a way to compete with originality and heart. The story builds toward the national championship, where the Toros and the Clovers are set to face off, with the outcome determining not just who wins the title, but what it means to compete with integrity.[edit]