She's going for the whip

Shouts Jimmy Fallon, aka "Hot Tub" Johnny Rocket, MC for Texas Roller Derby events.
Going into this movie I was a little embarrassed, thinking that the film was a bit on the cheese side, girl-power-girl -director- girl- Juno-on -roller-skates. I would ask really quickly of my friends, "wanttoseewhipit?" Fast, like a band-aid. Because, secretly, it sounded like a fun ride, but I had to play it cool.
After feeling out my friends, I ended with three dates. Yay me! We nestled into our seats, and I was so excited that I laughed at the previews. Opening is the beauty pageant scene from the previews, Juno with blue hair embarrassing her mother. So, that was expected. And I'm sorry Ellen Page, you are forever known now as Juno. Some people get those roles in life and they are just stuck with them. Juno was a great movie, great role, so don't feel bad. Plus the character Babe Ruthless, (which Page plays in Whip it) is a verrrrrry close Juno impression sans baby.
After a few scenes we arrive at our first roller derby. I think it's fair to say that not only was Juno sucked in, but everyone in the theater audience went to buy roller skates after the show. You fall for each roller girl, frenemy or friend, you love them all. Barrymore doesn't put much of herself in the film, just a taste to make you love her violent ways. Juliette Lewis is fabulous, I mean FABULOUS as Iron Maven, Juno's rival on another team. The costumes are great, the girls are bruised, saucy, tough as nails, sucking you right into the lifestyle of roller derby. You watch this and want to be friends with them. I single out Lewis and Barrymore, but really each girl was a treat. Kristen Wiig as Maggie Mayhem- great. Zoe Bell, Eve, Andrew Wilson (new Wilson brother) awesome awesome awesome.
Each scene was like a new surprise, a new treat. I was so excited I kept whispering and nudging Teresa. How can you not love a movie where the characters choose names like Eva Destruction, Jabba the Slut, and Rosa Sparks? Or Teresa chose her name- Pat M'booty. Cute, right? Well it's a rough and tumble ride, that makes you oooh and ahhh, and ooooow! at all the right places. Bloody noses and bruises as big as a Jack O' Lantern, these are the girls next door, just with the pretty layer pulled back showing the raw meat of contact sport and adrenaline highs.