"I'm sexy, I'm cute. I'm popular to boot. I'm bitchin'. Great hair. The boys all like to stare."

Cheerleading has never been given the recognition it deserves - thank God! But this film is attempting to do just that. 'Fun', 'Original' and 'Refreshing' have been the buzz words of many a review, until now. Sure we haven't had a film as far as I can recollect that centres around a National Cheerleading Competition, but the story of young spoilt rich kids from good neighbourhoods in California dealing with teen angst and sexual politics has been done to death. Just look at all the Beverly Hills 90210 offspring's - even Buffy The Vampire Slayer falls into that melting pot.

Dunst plays Torrance Shipman, the typical naïve wannabe star - newly appointed captain of the cheerleading squad whose academic abilities are the least thing on her mind when she's flinging around her pom poms. Striving to live up to her former captains record of four years national champion, she has been given the routine and must lead her team to victory. Problems arise in the form of rebel newcomer who joins the team only to announce that their routine has been stolen from a team in a poor black community that has never been able to make it to the nationals through lack of funds. Dilemma - do they continue with a stolen routine or create a new one with only a few weeks to go before the try outs?

The film has amusing touches in the form of dance instructor Sparky (played by Comedy Central's Ian Roberts). Whose zealous teaching methods reach spoof proportions. Torrance's younger brother produces the Farrelly brother style toilet humour that will raise a smile, no matter how naff. Of course there is the inevitable dance sequences, which will make some in the audience cringe whilst remembering the break dancing films of the early eighties. Perhaps you may find the cheerleader's routine's eye bogglingly impressive or stupifyingly cute. No matter what your prerogative however, this is a film that has surprised audiences in the States as it has raked in almost $50 million at the box office so far.

Are people really that impressed with cheerleading? I hope the audience in the States comprises solely of teenagers looking for a high school romantic comedy with dancing (like 'Footloose' cringe) and not middle aged men in macs.

"Oh Mickey You're So Fine, You're So Fine You Blow My Mind - Hey Mickey - Hey Mickey!"