Mean Girls

PG-13 2024 Musical/Comedy 1h 52m

Like The Color Purple before it, first Mean Girls was a book, then it was a movie, then it was a Broadway musical and now it is a movie based on the musical. Mean Girls' bones remain the same as the 2004 movie in terms of story and characters, but now with dance numbers. Did you ever watch the 2004 movie and think, This would be better if they broke into song. No, you didn’t and you were right; the movie isn’t better by adding songs. However, the songs are peppy enough and it’s fun to see an updated take. Tina Fey was behind the first movie and she's behind the update; her husband wrote the music for the Broadway show. As a teacher and the principal, Tina Fey and Tim Meadows are the only two cast members returning to play their original characters.

As a refresher or for the uninitiated, Cady (Angourie Rice) is the new girl at high school. Until now she was being homeschooled in Kenya by her mother. Cady befriends Janis and Damian who point out the school’s various cliques including The Plastics, an exclusive group of popular girls led by Regina George, Renée Rapp. Throughout the school year, in and out of song, Cady learns what it means to be a friend. The catchphrases and major moments of the original are retained or referenced. 

The songs and dance numbers are cute. I don’t know if any of them are “classics,” but they are certainly fun enough in the moment. If you loved the original, you will want to see this one; I think you'd enjoy it. If you didn't like the original, this one has nothing for you.

Image: Paramount