In a sense this is a 6 or 7: a kind of kookie inspirational sports movie - fun, energetic, easy to watch and easy to like.

However it gets a 9 because I cannot recall any film that truly takes the conventions that male cinema does so well and wholesale translate them to something that girls will love.

This film isn't sappy but it isn't about masculine heroism - it is about women having a great time being truly what they are - not 1950 prissies, but punky, spikey, ironic, sexy and just plain fun.

Whip It has great roller derby sequences but more than that and more than most male sports movies we get to see the personalities of those involved and they shine.

Drew Barrymore knows films - she's being doing it all her life - and this may look lightweight and simple, but the way the camera tells the story is excellent - it is all well-composed and supported by a tip-top script and a great cast. The romantic interest is too good-looking (of course) and above all this is a film that will hit the target with girls and women - but I promise you guys will really like it too.

Almost impossible not to enjoy we loved its free spirit and would recommend it heartily to teenage girls as a film about doing your thing and being strong.

I think it's important to point out that I am 45 years-old and I am sure my 'advanced age' has a big impact on my vote. Had I been a young hipster (grrr...hipsters!),then I am sure I would have enjoyed it much more--and I realize that I am NOT in the target demographic group for this film. Keep this in mind as you read this review.

Ellen Page plays a high school student whose mother (Marcia Gay Harden) lives out her dreams vicariously through her and her younger sister. It is the mother who wants her daughters to be beauty pageant winners and puts all her hopes and dreams on the girls--even though clearly Page hates the life. But, as her mother is quite domineering, Page longs for a change but will never directly deal with her mom. Instead, she sneaks off and creates an alter-ego, 'Babe Ruthless'--an up and coming roller derby star!! Talk about going from one extreme to another!!! While this IS a truly original idea and hooked me, how it was executed caused a lot of problems for me. I mean absolutely no offense to Miss Page--who is a likable actress and quite reminiscent of MTV's "Daria". But, she seems very, very wrong for the part. She isn't pretty in that plastic and perfect way to be a believable beauty pageant contestant. While she is cute, her looks are just not the type for this life. And, as she appears to weigh about 95 pounds, she also is ridiculously cast as a derby participant--particularly since one good hit would most likely kill someone her!! However, I should point out that her character IS interesting. What isn't so interesting are a few of the supporting characters. Her best friend is very, very inconsistent and seemed to need a bit of a re-write. For example, late in the film, this 'friend' sulks off and blames her problems on Page--though this makes no sense and seems more like a plot device than anything else. It's like someone said "wait...we need some conflict in this film....let's have the two girls have a falling out...and, by the end of the film, they can make up!!" (also known as cliché #15). And, while I liked some of the roller girls (such as Juliet Lewis and Drew Barrymore),some seemed a bit one-dimensional--such as the two deaf ladies.

Still, while these complaints are important, the film gets a 'see it' vote from me--simply because the movie IS unique. And, also, while not believable, the film is nice mindless fun and can even be enjoyed by a middle-aged guy like me. Plus, I appreciated how Page's character dealt with the boyfriend at the end of the film--and not like some dishrag! Worth seeing but not life-changing.

Shy Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) is an outsider in the conservative town of Bodeen, Texas. Her former pageant winning mother Brooke (Marcia Gay Harden) insists on entering her and her sister. While on a shopping trip with her mother to Austin, she is taken by some roller derby girls. With the help of her friend Pash (Alia Shawkat),she goes to see them. Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig) tells her to be her own hero. She lies about her age and makes it on a team.

Ellen Page has big time charisma in her little stature. I love her friendship with Pash and her relationship with her mother. The story is very standard sports and coming-of-age movie. I like the team and their chemistry. I like their coach Razor. On the other hand, the boyfriend is too much of a standard indie rocker guy. He's an unimaginative character. Drew Barrymore's directing is good for a relative novice. Overall, this is a fun enjoyable movie with a lovely star.