73. Mean Girls; movie review

 

MEAN GIRLS

Cert 12A

112 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate sex references, language, discrimination

We finally caught up with the original Mean Girls a few months ago and now I wish we hadn't - because this is the same movie with some songs thrown in.

Tina Fey adapted that iconic film for the stage and a highly successful Broadway run and was also the writer of this new film.

It stands in its own right - so it would be a winner for anyone who has yet to see the previous incarnations.

It didn't surprise me in the way Fey said she hoped that it would. That said, the songs and their presentation are strong.

This version of Mean Girls stars Angourie Rice as Cady, a new student at the North Shore High School bearpit.

Cady has been homeschooled in Kenya, so he has yet to learn about school hierarchy and cliques.

Thus, she is taken under the protective wing of two outsiders (Auliʻi Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey) who insist she should avoid the 'plastics' - three pretty girls who are apparently in charge of the school.

Well, one of them is... namely, Regina George, played with great swagger by Reneé Rapp.

Regina strolls around the place as if she owns it and does similarly at home where she literally orders her parents to exchange bedrooms.

Anyway, much against advice, Cady plays with fire and joins the plastics, and the outcome isn't good... for anyone.

As well as writing the screenplay, Fey reprises her role as the school's maths teacher while Jenna Fischer is Cady's bewildered mum.

There are also surprise blink-and-you-will-miss-them cameos for Lindsay Lohan and Jon Hamm.

As said, it all adds up to an effervescent movie with cracking songs but a plot that we all know too well.

Consequently, it is fun but not essential viewing. 

Reasons to watch: Cracking songs

Reasons to avoid: We all know the plot

Laughs: One

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? The Broadway show was nominated for twelve awards at the 72nd Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The final word.  Tina Fey: "I think the key goals for this version were for it to be fun, fresh, and surprising. Most people who will see this movie have seen the original; a fair chunk of them have seen the musical, but how can we delight and surprise them? What can we give them that they didn't expect while still bringing them these characters that they have affection for?" Screen Rant

Share this post