AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on June 20, 2025, 05:16:48 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/zsC338n.jpeg)
Studio: Shout! Studios
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Rating: PG
Film: 3/5
Plot
Bring It On is the ultimate cheerleading movie, starring Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, and Eliza Dushku. The Toro cheerleading squad has spirit, spunk, sass, and a killer routine that's sure to land them the national championship trophy for the sixth year in a row. For newly elected team captain, Torrance (Dunst), the Toro's road to cheer glory stumbles when she discovers their perfectly choreographed routines were stolen from a hot hip-hop squad from across town. Now the squad must scramble to find a new routine to compete in this year's competition.
My Thoughts
I thought I had seen this 25 years ago but it turns out that neither my wife or I remembered anything of the story and we presume it was actually our first viewing. The story follows Torrance Shipman (Dunst), the new captain of the Rancho Carne Toros, a high school cheerleading squad aiming for a sixth national championship. When Torrance discovers their winning routines were stolen from the East Compton Clovers, a rival team led by the fierce Isis (Gabrielle Union), she must rally her squad to create an original routine while navigating teen drama, romance, and self-discovery.
The film leans into its gloriously cheesy dialogue—think lines like “I’m totally buff!” and “Spirit fingers!”—while playfully poking fun at cheerleading stereotypes, portraying the sport as both absurdly theatrical and genuinely athletic. Beneath the campy humor and over-the-top rivalries lies a sharp commentary on cultural appropriation, making this teen comedy a surprisingly layered cult classic.
The 4K UHD disc shines with a brand-new transfer sourced from the 35mm original camera negative, approved by director Peyton Reed. Presented in Dolby Vision (HDR-10 compatible), the image is vibrant, crisp, and a noticeable leap over previous releases. The colorful cheerleading uniforms pop with vivid primaries, and the film’s sunny aesthetic benefits from enhanced contrast and deep blacks. Fine details, like the textures of the Toro and Clover uniforms or crowd scenes at nationals, are sharp without feeling overly processed. Film grain is natural, preserving the early-2000s cinematic look.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track delivers a lively soundstage that complements the film’s energetic vibe. The mix immerses viewers in cheerleading sequences, with crowd cheers and music filling the surround channels. Dialogue, including the gloriously cheesy lines, is clear and well-balanced. The early-2000s pop and hip-hop soundtrack has punchy bass and crisp highs. While not as aggressive as modern mixes, it suits the film’s tone and offers a clean, dynamic experience.
Video 9.0/10
Audio 8.5/10 (DTS-HA MA 5.1)
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary with Peyton Reed
- Spotlight On Location: The Making of Bring it On
- Wardrobe and Makeup Tests
- Deleted Scenes
- Extended Scene
- Theatrical Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0UYb8U2Dg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0UYb8U2Dg)
Conclusion
After a rough start to the film, we settled in and enjoyed it for what it was. A teen film that revels in its cheesy dialog with a tongue-in-cheek take on cheerleading that delivers a somewhat surprisingly sharp take on social commentary. Shout! did an excellent job with the video transfer and it looks like it was shot in the past year and not 25 years ago. I’m sure fans of the film will be happy to see it in 4K and for newcomers, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by the entertainment value.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
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Man. My girlfriend in college was obsessed with this one haha. I saw it way too many times than I’d like to admit. Hahah