Review: Mean Girls (2024)

Mean Girls reminds me of getting a cell phone upgrade . It’s familiar, the key elements that you love are still there, but you keep getting new surprises because of design changes to incorporate new features. Mean Girls 2004 worked up and out of the development of its main character Cady Heron and her outsider perceptive after moving from Africa. The opening song tells us immediately that this won’t be the case, this is NOT about Cady Heron, it’s a modern parable . 

Musicals tend to have a lot of emotional exposition, and to maintain the narrative there are a number of classic scenes that are moved or reworked to allow for the story to progress. I found myself wishing I had more scenes establishing the budding friendship between Cady, Janice, and Damien. The pay off is that all the characters come off more well rounded, including Regina’s “cool” mom.  

Regina’s character might benefit the most from this approach as it is easier to be sympathetic towards her by the end of the movie. She is portrayed as just having this dominant spirit. Comparatively, Janice has a presence, but for Regina people move. There are a couple small details that reinforce that throughout. No malicious plotting until she finds out she has been sabotaged, she doesn’t attempt to try and join the party when her friends turn her away. 

While much of the stated bullying and backstabbing is equally as bad as its predecessor, this film feels kinder. I am convinced that part of that is just a consequence of getting older. The  cast is more diverse, the wardrobe more varied. A lot of the public discourse over unacceptable behaviour has improved (not resolved, improved). While the mean behaviour is still cruel they seem to be based in relatable insecurities when unexplored. It's like going back to an old movie and forgiving its faults, but with Mean Girls you don’t have to because the writer did it themselves.

It also just gave it new life by bringing it up to date. There are aspects that are more vulgar, modern technology, and the main highlight: the music. I spent my work lunch after the movie listening to the Broadway soundtrack, and it's a solid beginning to end listen with only an hour run time. A lot of the songs work directly with the story, but there are a couple of songs that easily fit into my playlist ( I’d Rather Be Me is my favourite). 

All of these changes make the trip to the theatre well worth it, as it feels fresh. But all  these changes don't change what made the film good to start with. The cringe/awkward emotional moments still hit just as hard as they did the first time. The pain of being a teenager and learning to deal with a wide world is still as relevant as ever. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles as Teacher and Principal respectively helped make the film feel authentic to the original.  

Written by Natasha Melbrew

January 9th, 2024