Review of Stick It (2006) by A D — 01 Sep 2010
Sports films are rarely this snarky, sassy, and spunky. Or rarely this much fun to sit through. A 'Bring It On' for the gymnastics crowd, this somewhat formulaic, somewhat unpredictable, and fairly well-acted comedy marks the directorial debut of that hit cheerleading comedy's writer Jessica Bendinger, who brings the same hip, flippant wit here.
The laugh lines are plenty. Missy Peregrym is a refreshing presence for this genre, pretty, athletic, with just a hint of edge. Jeff Bridges seriously classes up the joint as her supportive trainer. The young ladies play off each other in that glib "Girl Power!" style that made 'Bring It On' memorable.
The film trips up the usual "big game/big meet" formula, giving us an unexpected ending, albeit a somewhat dramatically unsatisfying one. Bendinger, cinematographer Daryn Okada and editor Troy Takaki make gymnastics pop off the screen in a way most sports movie don't.
That makes the expected training montages more colorful and manically energetic, and less tedious than usual. Bendinger takes us into this world of "leos" (leotards), "eating mat," perky bums (take note teen boys) and "sticking it" and makes us see the real athleticism it takes to pulls off these stunts.
No girly-girls allowed in this world. All this help overcome the brief flacid lapses in momentum and make this movie a true voice for sassy teen girls everywhere to embrace.
This review of Stick It (2006) was written by A D on 01 Sep 2010.
Stick It has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
