It’s possible for a movie musical that originated from a Broadway musical which was adapted from a film comedy based on a parenting book to be good. Thanks to the writer-producer Tina Fey and producer Lorne Michaels, little has been altered in this lucrative property since the first movie was released in 2004. High school-set stories and villains like Regina, the queen bee with a seemingly cold heart, are consistently comical and horrifying.
The original “Mean Girls” film was described as “tart and often charming,” while the Broadway musical adaptation was seen as “likable but seriously over-padded.” The new “Mean Girls” movie, however, falls somewhere between these assessments. It may not be especially tart and is undeniably over-padded, but it retains its charm and likability.
The story once again follows Cady, a bright teen newly arrived in a high school hellscape. She befriends other students and encounters the queen bee, Regina, along with her clique, the Plastics. Betrayal, comeuppance, and triumph occur as Cady navigates her way through high school politics.
When transitioning from stage to screen, many of the songs from the show were cut. The few tunes that remain blend together, except for Regina’s character-defining songs, “Meet the Plastics” and “World Burn.” The domineering presence of Regina, portrayed by Reneé Rapp, adds flair and swagger to the movie.
The directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. maintain the style set by the first film, despite occasional visual flourishes. There are some new additions to the cast, but the essence of the story remains the same. It’s worth noting that the film still ultimately loves its mean girl characters.
The movie reinforces the fundamental truth that gave the original “Mean Girls” its driving force: the world’s fascination with mean girls and women until it decides to hate them with a vengeance. The movie may not be groundbreaking, but it retains an interest in its title characters. Unlike the original film star, Lindsay Lohan, the new cast doesn’t manage to overshadow the mean girls, making them the main focus of the movie.
Mean Girls
Rated PG-13 for language and typical teen content. Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes. In theaters.
