Mean Girls will be in theaters on January 12th.
The new Mean Girls musical adaptation offers a refreshing twist on the 2004 classic. It combines humor, music, and teenage drama to create an entertaining tapestry. Despite never having seen the original film, this fresh rendition has sparked my interest in revisiting the roots of the iconic story.
The decision to turn Mean Girls into a musical might have surprised those who don’t usually enjoy musicals. However, the film does a great job of making the musical numbers bearable and enjoyable. The musical sequences are fitting, comical, and cleverly woven into the story. Each song adds to the film’s overall feel, enhancing the storytelling instead of detracting from it.
In the movie, we witness high school’s harsh and competitive atmosphere.
Mean Girls revolves around a new student named Cady Heron, who has to navigate the complicated world of teenage popularity. Although the plot is not new, the musical format adds an extra dimension to the story, infusing it with energy and rhythm. Cady’s journey to bring down Regina George, the queen bee, with the help of her outcast friends, provides a fresh perspective on the difficulties of staying true to oneself amidst the complexities of high school social hierarchies.
The film’s standout feature is undeniably its cast.
It boasts a mix of new faces and familiar talents. While the ensemble delivers commendable performances, Jaquel Spivey steals the show with her charismatic and memorable portrayal. Additionally, the recognizable Angourie Rice, known for her role as Betty Brant in Spider-Man, and the impressive Reneé Rapp lead the film with their committed performance. Including Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, and other recognizable actors in the adult cast of Mean Girls creates a sense of familiarity for fans of the original movie. Along with Jenna Fischer and Busy Philipps, the enjoyable cameos by Ashley Park and Jon Hamm and a particularly thrilling surprise appearance add to the movie’s charm.
Mean Girls strong point lies in its humor, which offers a plethora of enjoyable jokes that appeal to both teenage and adult audiences. The screenplay, by Tina Fey, successfully maintains the sharp wit and social commentary that made the original a cultural phenomenon. The weakness of the film lies in its long runtime. It lasts nearly two hours, which is quite long compared to the original version, which was only 1 hour and 37 minutes long. The extra time makes the movie feel slow and tedious, even for those who enjoy musicals. As the plot wanders, the initial excitement fades away, and the audience starts to feel anxious for the film to end.
Verdict
I give Mean Girls 3.5 out of 5 stars. It successfully captures the essence of the original movie while infusing it with a musical twist. Despite the minor setback of an extended runtime, the stellar cast, clever humor, and enjoyable musical numbers make it a worthy addition to the Mean Girls legacy. Whether you are a fan of the original or a newcomer to the Mean Girls universe, this adaptation offers an entertaining and relevant experience for teens and adults.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
