One of the trending movies this week on Paramount+ is the classic teen comedy “Bring It On,” starring Kirsten Dunst. The film, according to FlixPatrol, reached the Top 8 of the platform worldwide (as of June 6th). However, in the US, it is only available to stream on Starz.
Directed by Peyton Reed, the movie, originally released in 2000, centers around the competitive world of high school cheerleading. Since then it has become a cult classic, even spanning a direct-to-video franchise. However, none of the following stories could match the impact of the original.
Apart from Dunst, the comedy also stars Gabrielle Union, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Clare Kramer, Nicole Bilderback and Tsianina Joelson. The film was written by Jessica Bendinger, who was inspired by her love of cheerleading and hip-hop, as well as her observation of cultural appropriation as a journalist.
‘Bring It On,’ a classic teen comedy that is trending worldwide
The story follows Torrance Shipman (Dunst), who is newly elected as the captain of the Rancho Carne High School cheerleading squad, the Toros. Torrance soon discovers that the previous captain stole all their winning routines from an inner-city school, the East Compton Clovers, led by Isis (Union). Determined to prove themselves with original material, the Toros must come up with new routines in time for the national championships, all while dealing with internal team drama and a growing rivalry with the Clovers.
“Bring It On” was a commercial success, grossing over $90 million worldwide against a budget of $11 million. The film opened at number one at the North American box office, grossing $17.4 million in its opening weekend.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, “Bring It On” holds a 63% approval rating, and Dunst’s performance as Torrance was particularly lauded.
Critics appreciated its satirical take on cheerleading culture and its commentary on issues like plagiarism and cultural appropriation. Over time, the movie has developed a dedicated fan base and is often cited as a quintessential teen film of the early 2000s.
