Well, everyone, now, it is time to review the newer Mean Girls film that was basically a remake of the 2004 film. Oh, but there’s a twist. This version is in the style of a Broadway musical, and based more on the Broadway version that was released on Broadway sometime after the 2004 version came out. This version stars Angourie Rice as main character Cady Heron, Renee Rapp as Regina George, Avantika as Karen Shetty, Bebe Wood as Gretchen Wieners, and more cast members. So now, let’s dive into the newer Mean Girls film version, shall we?
Plot: High school , and homeschooled student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice this time around), and her mother, Ms. Heron (Jenna Fischer) move from Kenya, Africa back to the U.S., after which Cady begins attending North Shore High School. As Cady begins to navigate the typical things that go with high school such as experiencing culture shock of going from homeschool, and one culture to another, cliques, and making some new friends, including relationships that may not be the best for her, will Cady still maintain her innocence, or will public high school begin to influence her for the worst?
Well, I will say this, though the story may basically feel the same as the 2004 version, with some changes here, and there, this newer 2024 remake of the popular 2004 Mean Girls movie is still very good. First of all, the way that the movie is first set up is really cool. Also, it was really cool to have original music as well. Honestly, if there was going to be a remake of the original film, then making this version a Broadway-style musical most likely was a great way to go. Are the songs classic ones that you’ll have stuck in your head? Not quite! Still, they are fun songs. I mean if you want a film that helps develop the story, and characters through songs, like many musicals have excelled in doing, then this is a good opportunity for you to do just that. Each character truly does shine through each of the songs that they either sing themselves, or are just a part of. Speaking of the characters, once again, many of them do stand out, each in his/her own way. Still, the ones that do stand out in this version the most are Cady Heron, and Regina George. The reason, first off, for Cady, is that she goes through culture not only because of realizing that high school is not always the way that it cracks to be, but also because she makes both good, and bad decisions, such as attempting to make the lives of certain people miserable, especially when they hurt her. Yet, in spite of this, Cady still manages to have a good heart, particularly when she learns to apologize for hurting those people, trying to reconcile with those that she hurt, and showing compassion, and love to everyone around her, including those that don’t deserve it. As for the Queen Bee of the Plastics, Regina George, wow, though she was developed in the original 2004 version, the girl is even more developed this time around. She even gets her own villain song at one point, if you want to put her solo song in such a category. Also, some of you have read the Book of Judges in the Bible, have you not? Well, you have read about the life of Samson in Judges chapters 13-16, yes? For those of you, then you’re surely familiar with the chapter known as “Samson & Delilah” in Judges 16. Well, for those of you who are, then you remember how deceptive, and manipulative Delilah was, I’m sure. Well, in recent years, I came up with a saying for females that seem to act like Delilah from time to time. I coin that expression “Delilah Resurrected Into Modern Times.” Ladies, and gentlemen, in this version of Mean Girls, Regina George can most definitely fall under such an expression because of how she has this smooth talk, but acts sly, and conniving. Yeah, Regina George, and Delilah could potentially be friends with each other as a result. The rest of the cast is great too, from Regina’s two members of the Plastics, Principal Duvall, who was played by Tim Meadows once again, and Ms. Norbury, played by Tina Fey. How interesting that they those two were played by the same people from the 2004 film! Oh, and did I forget Jenna Fischer as Cady’s mother? Though she wasn’t on screen that much, she was a great character during the times that she was onscreen. Not to mention that it was cool to see Jenna Fischer in a film after being in a somewhat long-running show like The Office. Oh, and Auli’i Cravalho as Janis, she sung well, just like when she played Moana in Disney’s Moana. And, last, but not least, let’s not forget to acknowledge Aaron, whom Cady Heron had a crush on in both of these versions. As for the story, again, it was cool the way that it was set up with the beginning musical number, and all the rest of the film. Despite keeping a lot of scenes in this version, there were some tweaks, and changes that came along with this film. So those were nice as well. Honestly, if there were any downsides, it would be that there were some moments that were left out of this new version, including a hilarious moment that made the original film all the more hilarious, and memorable. Oh well!
And that’s my review for 2024’s Mean Girls. If you haven’t seen this newer one, I would still recommend it. That is especially if you liked the 2004 version, and would be happy to see some of the old cast return. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Lindsay Lohan, who played Cady Heron in the original film, makes a cameo appearance as an additional character at one point in this newer version? So, all the more reason to see this film. Anyway, this film has fun numbers, a creative setup, memorable characters, and other elements that make this film really good. My recommendation would be that if you saw the 2004 version, liked it, and like musicals, then all the more reason to see this 2024 Mean Girls movie. All to say, go see it, and give your verdict as well. Hope you end up enjoying it as much as I, and other people did.
Final Grade: A
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 