I'm going to "skate" over some of the more obvious flaws... Yes, Casey's physics project is laughable. Yes, the message -- that talent and independent spirit will shine, and that parents and children must respect each other's dreams -- is hackneyed. Sure, this is a feel-good movie aimed at tweens. But here's an ugly secret: Many an emotionally arrested adult derives guilty pleasure from these perky underdog flicks.

The compelling reason to watch IP, however, is two old (sorry, older) pros -- and one up-and-comer. We all knew Joan Cusack could act (indeed she's one of our top comedic thespians), but who knew she could believably play an initially unsympathetic tight-assed "Type A" mom? And Kim Cattrall portrays the conniving Tonya Harding-esquire bitch (with the requisite heart of gold) admirably. Watching these two pros interact is quite the treat: Note how expressive their faces are, even when delivering (or reacting to) dialogue that skates on thin ice indeed.

Michelle Trachtenberg makes a appealing protagonist, but the revelation is Hayden Panettiere who perfectly embodies (both physically and psychologically) the driven golden girl (with that requisite heart of gold, natch). She cemented her status as a young actress to watch in Bring It On 3 (yet another perky, underrated underdog flick... that almost matched the cutes of the original). Additional kudos to the energetic monsters who portray the Jumping Shrimp and Zoe the punker pincushion who skates to Pink.

Hardly a gold medalist, and admittedly formulaic, but certainly deserving of better reviews than it received upon release. Watch those three (well, five) gals go at it and you'll agree.

Besides what the cynics will see Ice Princess is an undeniable bubblegum treat and despite it's sometimes lapse in logic makes an agreeable sports film both emotional and intense. Trachtenberg of Buffy fame stars as the title star a physics geek in school whom when offered the opportunity to go to college with a scholarship, decides to base her summer project on figure skating and the physics proportions of what would accustom special movements and such. In that she finds a passion she's long denied herself because of her over bearing, feminist, college professor MOM played wonderfully by Joan Cusack whom of course thinks it's just a waste of time. The film is of course a clash of overly obvious clichés but anyone seeing this film should know that already. But these are the clichés that make movies like this truly inspiring and enjoyable. The film is fun, memorable and heart tugging. But the standout addition here is a wonderful performance by the still gorgeous Kim Catrall she's still in mean mode but god can she deliver those lines and still come off likable ultimately. So throwout what cynics will say about this sleeper treat and go experience this gold medal for your selves. 9/10