Stick It Review

Extreme sports such as snowboarding, skateboarding and BMX have become a bit of a staple in the cinema these days, and now writer / director Jessica Bendinger has tried to add gymnastics to the list, with this tale of an angry young teenager who is offered a second chance.

Missy Peregrym stars as Haley, a former star gymnast who fell from grace after she walked out on her team mates during an important competition. Then, thanks to some bad company and a lenient judge, Haley ends up at washed-up coach Burt Vickerman's (Jeff Bridges) training academy in a bid to try and get her life back on track. But can Burt get through to this rebellious young lady before her talent - and her future - both go up in smoke?

Happy to embrace every cliche in the book - including comedy sidekicks, bitchy rivals and the obligatory happy ending - Bendinger's film may sound like something we've seen a million times before. Iin some ways it is but in others it's actually quite fun, as the film successfully showcases a sport that is generally paid little attention other than in an Olympic year. Some interesting choreography and the undeniable talent of those on the equipment make for entertaining watching, even if the film's theme of teen-rebellion lite is a bit contrite and predictable. "Stick It" also takes a pop at those judging the girls in competition and the rigid rules they must adhere to. It's like "Strictly Ballroom" swapped the dance floor for a gym - you half expect one of the competitors to scream "My steps my way Burt" mid-routine.

"Stick It" is certainly distracting enough to merit a look for teens and those with an interest in the sport, but for the rest of us it fails to execute a perfect landing.