Review: Mean Girls

Mean Girls reimagines the beloved cult classic teen comedy as a vibrant musical film, blending sharp social satire with energetic performances and colorful visuals. Led by Angourie Rice and featuring Reneé Rapp reprising her Broadway role, the film explores the complexities of high school dynamics through catchy songs and heightened drama. In this review, we examine how the adaptation balances honoring the original’s wit with the demands of musical storytelling, offering something fresh for both longtime fans and new viewers.

Review

Mean Girls is a sparkling, if uneven, musical take on a cult classic. The movie adaptation brings Tina Fey’s iconic 2004 teen comedy back to the screen with a splash of Broadway glamor and fresh energy. Directed by Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne, it marries the sharp wit and social satire of the original with colorful musical numbers designed to amplify both humor and emotional stakes.

Angourie Rice steps into the shoes of Cady Heron, the new girl navigating the treacherous social hierarchies of high school, delivering a solid, earnest performance that captures the character’s awkwardness and vulnerability. Reneé Rapp reprises her role as Regina George from the Broadway production, bringing a new level of polished menace and charisma to the infamous “Queen Bee.” Her musical numbers, particularly “Apex Predator,” are highlights of the film, showcasing both vocal talent and a nuanced take on Regina’s complex persona.

Visually, the movie is vibrant and lively, with costume and set design leaning into the exaggerated, hyper-stylized world of high school cliques. The choreography and staging of musical sequences are energetic and inventive, successfully translating the Broadway flair to the screen. The film’s soundtrack blends catchy tunes with clever lyrics, but some songs struggle to maintain the pace or emotional depth needed to keep the story moving smoothly.

Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp and Avantika Vandanapu dazzle in a stylish scene from Mean Girls, redefining high school royalty with attitude, glamour, and pink perfection.

The screenplay stays largely faithful to the original story’s core themes—peer pressure, identity, and the pitfalls of social exclusion—while updating cultural references to resonate with a 2024 audience. However, at times the script feels weighed down by its dual commitment to both musical and narrative, leading to uneven pacing. The humor, while often sharp and nostalgic, occasionally falters when trying to bridge the gap between the 2004 film’s biting sarcasm and the broader appeal of musical comedy.

Supporting performances from the ensemble cast add warmth and dimension, with characters like Janis and Damian gaining new layers through expanded musical roles. The film also subtly explores themes of female friendship and empowerment, though these messages sometimes feel secondary to the spectacle.

Overall, Mean Girls is a spirited, if imperfect, reinvention that successfully captures much of the original’s charm while introducing fresh elements through its musical format. Fans of the original and newcomers alike will find moments to enjoy, even if the film doesn’t always hit the high notes it aims for.

Information

Mean Girls is a 2024 American teen musical comedy directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., based on Tina Fey’s Broadway adaptation of her 2004 film. The movie stars Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, with Reneé Rapp reprising her Broadway role as Regina George. The cast also includes Auli’i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, Avantika Vandanapu, Christopher Briney, Tina Fey, and Tim Meadows. It premiered on January 8, 2024, in New York City and was released theatrically in the United States on January 12, 2024. The film grossed over $104 million worldwide and is available for streaming on Paramount+ since March 5, 2024. With a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes, the film is rated PG-13 and blends comedy and musical genres.

Thumbnail Image Source: Paramount Plus{alertInfo}