Get ready to put on your pinkest outfit, and pretend it is a Wednesday as we wear pink on that day. and grab a Kalteen bar because “Mean Girls” is back and better than ever! This musical remake of the 2004 classic brings a fresh, vibrant energy to North Shore High, and it’s totally fetch.
From the moment Angourie Rice as Cady Heron belts out her opening number, you know you’re in for a treat. This isn’t just a rehash of the original; it’s a full-blown musical extravaganza with catchy tunes, witty dialogue, and a cast that shines brighter than Regina George’s hair.
New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the Plastics, the school’s most exclusive clique, ruled by the glamorous and manipulative Regina George (Reneé Rapp). Cady, initially drawn to the Plastics’ power and social status, soon finds herself caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and teenage drama.
With the help of her quirky friends Janis Ian (Auliʻi Cravalho) and Damian Leigh (Jaquel Spivey), Cady embarks on a mission to infiltrate the Plastics and expose their reign of terror. But as she gets closer to Regina and her loyal followers, Gretchen Wieners (Bebe Wood) and Karen Smith (Avantika), Cady begins to lose sight of herself and risks becoming the very thing she despises.
Speaking of Regina, Reneé Rapp absolutely slays in the role. Her rendition of “Apex Predator” is fierce, and her comedic timing is impeccable. But the moment that truly solidified this movie’s greatness? Regina’s iconic “My name is Regina… George…” line, delivered with a chillingly perfect blend of sweetness and menace. (Chills, y’all. Chills.) This was when I knew I would LOVE the movie as well as the songs.
The rest of the cast is equally fantastic. Auliʻi Cravalho brings a quirky charm to Janis Ian, and Jaquel Spivey is hilarious as Damian Leigh. And let’s talk about Avantika as Karen Smith. She takes the character to a whole new level of hilarious with her ditzy charm and impeccable comedic timing. (That “Sexy” performance? I’m still singing it in the shower!)
But here’s the thing that really got me hooked: the music. Every song is a banger, from the empowering “Apex Predator” to the vulnerable “Where Do You Belong?” And Gretchen Wieners’ solo, “What’s Wrong with Me?,” where she pours her heart out about wanting Regina’s approval? That’s valid. I felt that in my soul.
Now, I gotta admit, I was a little bummed that Karen and Gretchen didn’t get as much screen time as I would have liked. Those two are comedic gold, and I could have watched an entire movie of just their shenanigans.
You can’t have it all, but speaking of having everything, this movie has it all: humor, heart, and a whole lot of girl power. It’s a reminder that being true to yourself is way more important than fitting in with the “cool” crowd. And hey, it might even inspire you to rock a Halloween costume inspired by the Plastics. (My friends and I are totally considering it!)
“Mean Girls” (2024) is a must-see for fans of the original, musical lovers, and anyone who’s ever navigated the treacherous waters of high school. It’s a fun, empowering, and musically infectious film that will leave you feeling fetch. Go see it. Like, now.
Rated: PG-13 (USA)
Runtime: 112 minutes
Release Date: January 8, 2024 (New York City)
January 12, 2024 (United States)
My rating: 8.0 Mainasty Masterpieces 
| Directed by | Samantha Jayne Arturo Perez Jr. |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Tina Fey |
| Based on | Mean Girls by Jeff Richmond Nell Benjamin Tina Fey Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman |
| Produced by | Lorne Michaels Tina Fey |
| Starring | Angourie Rice Reneé Rapp Auliʻi Cravalho Christopher Briney Avantika Vandanapu Bebe Wood Busy Philipps |
| Cinematography | Bill Kirstein |
| Edited by | Andrew Marcus |
| Music by | Jeff Richmond |
