After being blindsided by the trailer, it’s no wonder the newest Mean Girls shocked cinema viewers who were just expecting a rehashed version of the original, rather than a film version of the Broadway musical hit. This version misses some moments, like the iconic four-way phone call, and some of the numbers were staged quite strangely, but all-in-all, this film was not that bad. It still captures the core of the original, making the message of being one’s self more clearer, while making some updates to better match its new and younger audience. Mean Girls might still be trying to make fetch happen, but it’s still fun enough to watch, especially with its talented cast.
Synopsis
New student Cady Heron is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called ‘The Plastics,’ ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George and her minions Gretchen and Karen. However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels, she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis and Damian, she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
Storyline
New student Cady Heron is welcomed by the school’s most popular clique The Plastics, ruled by queen bee Regina George, but after falling for her ex-boyfriend, she sets out to take her down with her outcast friends Janis and Damian.
TLDR
Reneé Rapp, I know you said that you’re focusing on your music career, but if ever you do read this somehow. Please. Come back to film someday.
What stands out
The cast. Auli’i Cravalho shows a different side, while Jaquel Spivey, Avantika, and Bebe Wood have great introductions in their first Hollywood leading roles, but it’s Reneé Rapp who’s the star here, and the film knows it, giving her the best and most dramatically shot numbers.
