AllMovie

This sexploitation opus delivers its fair share of saucy delights, but sadly lacks the inspired touches that infused previous Jack Hill favorites like Foxy Brown and Switchblade Sisters. The script, penned by Jack Hill and an anonymous cohort under female pseudonyms, delivers a solidly crafted plot, but lacks the drama or excitement needed to make it come alive. However, it manages to work in the occasional inspired touch, the most memorable being a hair-raising scene where Lisa is confronted by her lover's angry wife. Another problem with the film is that its tight budget cramps the film's style; for instance, dull gridiron stock footage is used to replace any potentially exciting football scenes. The Swinging Cheerleaders also suffers from weak acting. Jo Johnston acquits herself reasonably well as reporter-turned-cheerleader Kate, but Rosanne Katon delivers an amateurish performance full of stilted, unbelievable line readings. Despite these problems, The Swinging Cheerleaders remains watchable thanks to Hill's skills as a director. He makes the surprisingly complicated plot easy to follow, maintains a fast pace, and brings a genuine erotic flair to the film's more amorous moments. Ultimately, The Swinging Cheerleaders is too patchy and uninspired to win any new fans, but makes a fitfully amusing time capsule for exploitation film enthusiasts.