Cheer Fever

Today's direct-to-DVD sequel about which I have fairly little to say is Bring It On: In It To Win It, the five-card Charlie of film subtitles. BIO:IITWI is the fourth film (in seven years) of the Bring It On series, name-only sequels featuring the world of high school cheerleading competitions. A brief history of the franchise follows.

Bring It On, 2000. Well-received, made about $68 million domestically, and spoken of occasionally as a clever satire, though it didn't do particularly much for me. Contains a handful of teen talent who'd go on to work regularly: Kirsten Dunst as Torrance,
Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union. Directed by Peyton Reed and written by Jessica Bendinger, whose 2006 directorial debut Stick It, about a rebellious girl returning to competitive gymnastics, is probably closer to the first Bring It On than any of the subsequent cash-ins.

Bring It On Again, 2004. Direct to video. Stars Anne Judson-Yager (as Whittier) and Bree Turner, so top two billings both put in early work for MTV's Undressed series.

Bring It On: All Or Nothing, 2006. Stars Hayden Panettiere as Britney, and is presumably where Heroes producers decided she could play a cheerleader. Supporting actor Danielle Savre also appears in Heroes with Panettiere. Apparently writers were unable to think of a Southern California city after which to name her, otherwise a trademark of the series. There's no Britney, CA, right? Also stars Solange Knowles-Smith and Rihanna, meaning three of the film's actors will have records available (as soon as the Panettiere CD drops; it's about half a year past its supposed release date). Danielle Savre's been in a couple of singing groups (Sweet Obsession and Trinity), but it doesn't look like they recorded.

Bring It On: In It To Win It, 2007. Working title was Bring It On 4ever. Returns series to form by naming lead (Ashley Benson) Carson. Stars various ex-Power Rangers and siblings of teen-poppers. Rival factions are the Sharks and the Jets. That guarantees a couple knife murders and a rumble, right?