Mean Girls (2024) - A Plastic Copy that Doesn't Sparkle New Heels

On Wednesdays we wear pink.

Based on the iconic 2004 film and the 2018 stage musical, Mean Girls is a 2024 musical film adaptation. Cady Heron attends high school for the first time. She meets a trio of A-list clique girls titled ‘The Plastics.’ She is a hit until she falls for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of the alpha Plastic, Regina George.

Everyone was pumped and dressed in their best pink outfits to see Mean Girls - and it was a Monday. The musical adaptation of Mean Girls is a fetch time but the film’s one downfall to popularity is that it avoids being its own thing, copying quotes and jokes from the original.

The cast is the best part of Mean Girls. Let’s dish on the highlights starting with Angouri Rice. Angourie Rice fills the shoes of Cady Heron. Ever since Senior Year (2022), Rice has been coming into her own as an actress. Rice does a great job in the role, bringing a fresh take to the character.

Now, let’s talk about Regina. In her film debut, Renee Rapp takes over the iconic heels of Regina George. Rapp is the weakest performance. She lacks the layers that make Regina iconic. In a deep contrast to Rachel McAdams’s stellar performance, this Regina barely scratches the surface of the Queen Bee we all love to hate.

As Regina’s henchwomen, Avantika and Bebe Wood are excellent as Karen and Gretchen. The group of teen girls sitting next to me laughed the most at Karen’s bizarre lines. I liked Gretchen’s solo song, ‘What’s Wrong with Me,’ detailing how invisible she feels.

The best performers in the movie are Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey. Janice and Damien are the ultimate showstoppers. Spivey is hilarious in every scene, being a total diva. I was surprised that this is Spivey’s film debut! Cravelho rocked out in her song, ‘I’d Rather Be Me.’

A few cast members from the original Mean Girls return. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprise their roles. More credits include Christopher Briney, Jenna Fischer, Busy Phillips, Jon Hamm, and Ashley Park. And be on the lookout for an actress who started the first movie.

Speaking of the music, filmmakers thought up creative ways to incorporate songs. Some songs weren’t necessary but added flair to the story. Songs include, ‘Meet the Plastics,’ ‘World Burn,’ and ‘Stupid with Love.’

Here’s where my opinions fall flat. In their directorial debuts, Samantha Jayne and Artura Perez Jr. didn’t bring originality to Mean Girls (2024). The movie walks in the footsteps of the OG Mean Girls but doesn't sprinkle originality. I was hoping for a surprise twist, but it’s the same old recipe.

Dialogue and actions are a carbon copy of the original. And the writers omitted one of the best lines about Regina George! Filmmakers played it safe. No new beats, no risky moves. It's the same story, just a modern upgrade.

The 2024 adaptation is a plastic copy that doesn’t sparkle new heels. Mean Girls (2024) is its own thing but deserves more glamour and beef to make it original. It’s a fetch step in the modern era to grab a new generation's attention.

The moral of the story, however, remains the same. Always be yourself. Make friends who are worth your time. High school is one of the toughest times to fit in. It’s crucial to be your unapologetic self and find your own cliques. If you don’t see yours then make one.

Wear your best pink and go out on a movie adventure with your friends and enjoy Mean Girls.