25 Years Later: Which 'Bring It On' Scenes Would Be Canceled Today?
The Scandalous Truth About "Bring It On"
Get ready for a blast from the past that's left us feeling nostalgic, but also cringing with embarrassment! The iconic teen cheerleading comedy "Bring It On" has been making waves on social media as fans rewatch the movie through a modern lens and are shocked by its glaring flaws. We're diving into three of the most problematic moments that will make you wonder how this film ever got made in the first place!
Missy's Embarrassing Cheerleading Tryout
Fast forward to 13 minutes into the movie, and we're introduced to Missy (played by the fabulous Eliza Dushku), a rebellious new team member trying out for the Toros. But little does she know, her audition is about to go off the rails! With baggy pants, a crop top, and what appears to be a tattoo on her arm, Missy thinks she's bringing the heat, but Courtney (a Toros cheerleader) has other plans.
Courtney dismissively tells Missy, "Tattoos are strictly verboten. Sorry." Ouch! But that's not all - Missy then proceeds to lick the tip of her middle finger and smudge the ink on her arm, claiming she got bored during fourth period. Um, what? As if that wasn't awkward enough, Courtney rejects Missy's tryout, calling her a homophobic slur (yes, you read that right!). But wait, there's more - Courtney claims she doesn't want to bring "that kind of energy" onto the team.
The Confrontation at East Compton High School
Just 10 minutes later, we're at East Compton High School, where Torrance and Missy are watching the Clovers perform their mesmerizing cheers. But things quickly take a turn for the worse as they're confronted by Isis (played by the talented Gabrielle Union) and her squad.
The Clovers accuse the Toros of stealing their routines, with Lava saying, "Y'all been coming up here trying to jack us for our routines." Ouch! The tension is palpable as the two teams go head-to-head. ESPN writer Katie Barnes claims that this scene is an example of cultural appropriation, citing the privileged position of the Toros and the resource disparities between East Compton High School and Rancho Carne.
The Infamous Car Chat
Last but certainly not least, we have the infamous car chat scene that will leave you cringing with embarrassment. Missy and Torrance are cruising around in a car with Jan (Nathan West) and Les (Huntley Ritter), when the conversation turns to men staring at the female cheerleaders.
Jan claims, "At least they don't have to defend their sexuality." But things quickly take a dark turn as Les responds, "Well, Jan's straight... while I'm controversial." The scene devolves into a series of homophobic slurs and casual mentions of domestic assault. Yes, you read that right - this was considered acceptable in the early 2000s!
Fans are speaking out on social media, with one user writing, "This movie is so unhinged!" Another shared, "I was watching this the other day and was shocked too! I've seen this like 100 times." A Reddit user summed it up perfectly: "Bring It On was surprisingly progressive for 1999. Unfortunately, there are a few homophobic jokes, plus sexual harassment that wouldn’t fly today."
So, what do you think? Can we still enjoy "Bring It On" despite its glaring flaws, or is it time to reevaluate this teen classic? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Sources:
TheScholarlyNote.com
(Note: The original article's references to the Daily Mail have been replaced with TheScholarlyNote.com)