Written by: Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

Stick It should serve competitive gymnastics in much the same way "Bring It On" celebrated cheerleading - which is no surprise since Jessica Bendinger created both.

The story centers on defiant 17 year-old Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym), who is a poster girl for recklessness in the gym and in her life. Her parents are feuding, and she ruined her reputation when she walked out on her team in mid-competition, costing them the championship. But when Haley winds up in juvenile court, she's ordered to do time at the Vickerman Gymnastics Academy, run by a hard-nosed, tough-love coach Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), who warns her, "Don't hurt yourself. And don't get blood on the equipment."

Predictably, Haley and Burt learn to respect each other's stubborn determination en route to hyperkinetic "Flashdance"-inspired finale, punctuated by a loud rock soundtrack featuring Missy Elliott, Electric Six, K7 and My Morning Jacket. Unfortunately, the movie's sly message is: if you don't like the rules, change ‘em, as the athletes contrive forfeits so only one competitor is left in each event, nullifying the power of the judges.

Jeff Bridges proves once again that he can rise above the most mundane dialogue to infuse a character with reality and compassion, but rest of the cast is strictly stereotypical.

Writer/director Jessica Bendinger, a former gymnast with a music video background, visually depicts the emotional and physical strength of these rebels in leotards, aided by the muscular photography of Daryn Okada ("Mean Girls," "Just Like Heaven"). The unusual overhead camerawork emphasizes Busby Berkeley-like symmetry, enhanced by CG compositing.

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, Stick It is a spirited, supple 6. And the title is both a slang term for dismissing jerks or encouraging a gymnast's perfect landing.