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NFL Cheerleaders Making the Squad - Miami Dolphins

Warner Bros. // Unrated // November 14, 2006
List Price: $14.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]

Review by Aaron Beierle | posted November 28, 2006 | E-mail the Author
The Movie:

"Cheerleaders: Making the Squad" (three different editions available: Cheerleaders, Buccaneers, Chargers) is a reality series (3 episodes) following a group of young women as they compete to earn a spot on the cheerleading squad of an NFL team. Going in, one would expect this program to be the greatest catfight of all time, putting the ones on "The Bachelor" and "Flavor of Love" to shame. These girls should - in theory - turn hair pulling into an art form. There should be more pranks, jokes and sabotage than the entire run of "Punk'd".

The third and final DVD edition of "Making the Squad" covers the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. The series proceeds in largely the same fashion as the other two programs, starting with a brief introduction before getting into the audition process. The auditions bring a fairly decent mix of looks and personalities - a bit more varied than the other two. Still, there's no catty behavior to be found here, either: when the girls are dropped after the first round, those dropped hope for the best for the girls who made it through. The girls, while not seeming competitive, at least seem a little more honest here about their nerves and other stressful aspects of the auditions. The director, despite noting in her interviews that she tries to be positive, is meaner and tougher than she apparently thinks she is. 1% body fat is apparently too much to be a cheerleader, according to this program.

We then go through the final audition process which - in this case - includes a talent show portion. Once the final group has been brought together, the girls head off for intensive practice to get ready for their first public appearance (as we find out in these "Making the Squad" programs, a cheerleader's job doesn't end on Sunday, as they are constantly scheduled for appearances) and their big photo shoot.

"Making the Squad" is a watchable series that does have a few interesting tidbits about how a cheerleading squad works and how those girls get the gig. However, the show is an NFL Films production and, as such, it does feel like more of a promotional piece than a genuine look at the struggle for that spot on the sidelines.

Note:The NFL logo is visible in the upper corner of the screen throughout the show.


The DVD

VIDEO: "Making the Squad" is presented in crisp, clear 1.33:1 full-frame from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The picture remained sharp and well-defined throughout, with the only flaw being some minor shimmering. Colors looked rich and bold, with no smearing or other concerns.

SOUND: A bold stereo soundtrack with bassy music and clear dialogue.

EXTRAS: Promos.

Final Thoughts: "Making the Squad" has some interesting moments as it takes a look into the process of picking an NFL cheerleading squad. However, it feels as if no one ever gets upset and everyone wants everyone to do well - and I'm not buying that. The DVD presentation offers fine audio/video quality, but minimal supplements. Football fans may want to check out one or more of these titles.

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