Cheerballs

My review was written in November 1984 after a mall screening in Boca Raton, Florida.

"Gimme an 'F'" unsuccessfully converts the once-popular cheerleaders exploitation film format ("The Cheerleaders" and "The Pom Pom GIrls" a decade or so ago) into an intended dance-oriented romp. Pic is unlikely to warrant a national release following its current regional bookings by distrib 20th Century Fox, and should play better on pay-cable.

Debuting feature director Paul Justman, who displays solid technical skills, has a meager premise to work with in Jim Hart's script. Story revolves around an annual clinic and competition for school cheerleading teams, held at Camp Beaver View, run by Bucky Berkshire, a/k/a Dr. Spirit" (John Karlen, hamming it up in the principal older-generation role). Berkshire, who is working on obtaining Japanese financial backing for a chain of boutiques, bets his top instructor Tom Hamilton (Stephen Shellen) $10,000 that he can't get the Moline Ducks squad to win over the powerhouse Fudge High Falcons. If he loses, Hamilton must work another five years for Berkshire.

Teen antics and sexcapades at the camp are extremely mild, with film erring in offering almost no nudity for its target youthful/drive-in audience. In keeping with the recent hit "Footloose", there is an interesting role reversal, in which lead Shellen dances sexily in his underwear in a shower while femme cat secretly watch voyeuristically.

Dance numbers are overproduced, with the Ducks' predictable blossoming from awkward, mousy types to sexpots on stage coming off as unbelievable. Also, the use of dance doubles for several of the lead players is obvious. Thesping is adequate in context and musical score serviceable.

If you are at all into the "dancey" style of cheerleading (there is some minor gymnastics involved in this movie), this movie cant be beat. It is obvious that the producers of this show wanted to show all aspects of cheerleading and really put some serious thought and money into the cheerleading numbers. The songs and routines seem to be highly original and are amazingly better than those than I have seen in actual High School/College cheerleading competitions (until the pyramid building/circus style became popular).

A broader recap: If you like to look at great looking girls who are talented, this is the movie to see. If you want some great acting and/or an interesting plot look elsewhere.

Although this movie is like 18 years old, I just saw it for the first time. Honestly, I didn't think it was all that bad. I mean, sure, some of the acting was the pits, but what can we expect from a low budget 80's flick? This was just another one of those teen movies that mainly focused on sex and having fun. This movie isn't for everyone. Only those who appreciate a cheesy low budget movie need watch it. I give this movie a 7 out of 10 because really, it wasn't all that terrible!

you know, these people that criticize this film for its lack of true humor, plot and skilled acting are really missing the wonder of this film. the donut smashing scene alone is enough to garner many a critical award, but honestly, the full on 80s dancing in the steamy wooden camp shower scene, replete with gawking big-haired 80s cheerleaders is enough to sit through the entire 120 minute viewing session on comedy central (alas, it hasn't been shown for years, either.) i really don't know where one can see this movie again, unless they buy it off of ebay, but its not a meatballs rip-off. its so much more than that. a guy dresses up in a viking outfit and passionately rips a weiner with his teeth for the love of god. its not even troma. is golden.

Maybe you'd have to be a person who was born in the early 80's or late 70's, but this film is classic. So many comedic elements that are funny either because they're blatantly intended or just unintended. Any of the bad acting that occurs that have been mentioned in previous reviews is fantastic. If you're the type of person that can laugh at certain specific bad acting, timing, scripts, etc. then believe me, this is one of those movies that entails such humours. I can't believe I haven't seen this 80's flick yet. Most of them are so great, but this one tops the cake :P. I highly recommend watching it drunk when you're more likely to be more open and accepting, as the way humans should be. =D Enjoy.