Movie Breakdown: Mean Girls

Pre-Screening Stance:

I’m not really sure what to expect from Mean Girls. It’s supposed to be a musical, which I actually think is more interesting than just a straight up remake, but that’s pretty much been hidden in the trailers. Does the film not work? Or is it simply a case of the studio thinking audiences don’t want to see a musical?

Post-Screening Ramble:

Well, as expected, Mean Girls is absolutely a musical. I have no idea why this has been downplayed in the lead up to its release, but I do think it should have been shouted from the rooftops since it’s what makes this updated take worthy of your time. Because otherwise, you’ve already seen this movie. The plot? You know it. Cady (Angourie Rice) is a new student and the first people she befriends are Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), who inform her about the various cliques at the school, which includes the Plastics and their overlord Regina (Reneé Rapp). From there, it all unfolds just as it did back in 2004 … but with a lot of singing and dancing.

Being that this film is an adaptation of a hit Broadway musical, it’s no surprise that the songs land as well as they do. Or that Rapp, who played Regina in the Mean Girls musical, is great here. Shout out to Cravalho though, who puts on an inspired performance as Janis, and Rice, who’s clearly not a singer but still manages to hold her own anyhow. Now, while the musical scenes are mostly why this version is able to stand on its own, there’s one other “new” element that provides an assist, and it’s cellphones. Co-directors Samantha Jayne & Arturo Perez Jr. lean in heavy on them, almost to the point where you feel like you’re watching the film through one, which I guess makes sense here in 2024 but I don’t think it does the movie a lot of favors. There’s an almost flat look that comes from this style and it works against the lively energy that drives the film. Not a deal killer, thankfully, just more of an instance of lightly missing the mark.

Seriously, why wasn’t this titled Mean Girls: The Musical? Anyhow, this is fun movie that’s just different enough from its predecessor to warrant a trip to the theater when it opens tomorrow, January 12.

One Last Thought:

When you find yourself looking for something to watch after you get home from this iteration of Mean Girls, consider giving Girls5eva a shot. The show also features Busy Philipps, plus some great music and a lot of laughs. It’s on Peacock now but will slide over to Netflix in March for its third season.