When I first saw this movie in theaters, I didn't think too highly of it. I didn't think it was terrible, yet I came out feeling dissatisfied. Maybe I was in a bad mood. Who knows? Well, it was Free Preview Weekend on Starz, so I checked this movie out again. And I watched it all three times they showed it. This time I had a lot more fun!

"Sugar and Spice" is far from great, and is certainly no gem, but it's enjoyable teen fluff with some good laughs. And let's face it, it centers on five sexy, scantily clad cheerleaders. If you're a guy...how much more can you ask for? This is the type of film that is made to satisfy both male and female viewers alike, kind of like "Coyote Ugly." The girls enjoy the dynamics of the female characters, the guys enjoy the beauty of the female characters. This is not as sexy as "Bring It On," but I'm still satisfied.

The humor is sometimes lame and heavy-handed, and the characters are all caricatures, but I never reached the point where I wanted to croak. The movie is overall pretty harmless. And there are some funny moments, including one where Mena Suvari goes to visit her mother (Sean Young) in prison. She asks her Mom for advice on robbing a bank. Her Mom blushes and says, "This is like asking me for help on your homework." And I have to give this movie credit: the teen characters aren't as dumb as they are in most of these movies.

"Sugar and Spice" is cute, lightweight entertainment and enables you to see five hot babes in short skirts. Sweet!

My score: 7 (out of 10)

Sugar & Spice is almost a caricature of a teen movie. It is not, because it's not making fun of teens or teen movies, but has that slightly over the top smiley attitude that pushes you to that laughing place where you don't take things too seriously. Those who didn't like that movie didn't get that vibe. It is quite fun.

Now, it's not a perfect movie, the subject matter is treated very lightly, but the story, the dialogs, and the characters are all very entertaining. It doesn't bring anything new, per se, to the table, but it does it with flair, and laughs. The girls are beautiful, but not plastic perfect. The acting is simple, but sincere and adorable in certain cases.

One of the scene, when they announce they're getting married, is the perfect example of the quality and tone of the film. It and its followup scene in the car are hilarious.

If you want to see a good little known teen flick with an adult mask, that would to it.

`Sugar and Spice' is a superior black comedy about a high school cheerleading squad who robs a supermarket bank branch. Sharp and, and at times, wickedly funny, this is the movie `Legally Blonde' was supposed to be.

Marley Shelton who plays Diane, the squad leader, looks like a cross between Heather Graham (minus the prominent frontal outcroppings) and Reese Witherspoon (minus the `Howdy Doody' jaw). Shelton's comic delivery is every bit as deft as Reese's and she lacks Witherspoon's slight air of superiority. She's the acting glue that hold's this movie together. Also, very effective in far fewer scenes is James Marsden, playing the sweetly lunkheaded quarterback and Sean Young (SHOCK) as Mena Suvari's murderous mother. Melissa George, Mena Suvari (AMERICAN BEAUTY), Rachel Blanchard and Alexandra Holden also give solid support. The only weak link is Marla Sokoloff as the squad's nemesis. Even with her "work," she barely registers compared with the other girls. Also, the film is slightly marred by an abrupt, though reasonably plausible (for a satirical farce) ending, `Sugar and Spice' delivers the goods. It's `Legally Blonde' without the political correctness; or, as the squad might chant, `LB without the PC'.