The documentary about “The Plastics” had several high and low points.
Almost 20 years after the original movie came out, Mean Girls received a musical rendition.Like the original movie, Tina Fey was involved in the making of this film even reprising her role as Ms. Norbury. The musical was released in theaters and on streaming platforms Jan. 12. Before watching the movie I heard very mixed reviews and was extremely skeptical going into it.
The most notable change is the fact that most of the characters were recast. I loved their cast selections because they added more depth to the story. For example, Damian being a black gay man was the best choice because it expanded the personality of his character. Additionally, I loved Karen being cast as an Indian woman in this rendition because it tackles stereotypes, like in the scene where Kevin is convincing Cady to join the school Mathletes team. I enjoyed the contrast between the stereotypical smart and nerdy Asian student standing opposite of a popular, dumb Asian student.
I also liked that the last names of some of the characters were changed to more accurately represent themselves. Janice Ian is now a Hawaiian woman named Janis ‘Imi’ike, Karen Smith is now Karen Shetty, Damian Leigh is now Damian Hubbard and Trang Pak is now Trang Pham, a more common and accurate last name for Vietnamese people. The casting that I did not understand or agree with were the choices of casting for Aaron Samuels and Cady Heron. Aaron Samuels is supposed to be an attractive guy, but Christopher Briney is not attractive in the slightest. Additionally, Angourie Rice, the woman portraying Cady Heron, does not do a great job at playing a main character, singing well or expressing much emotion at all. She feels like a side character in her own movie.
Despite Rice’s mediocre singing skills, several other talented singers shined in the soundtrack. Reneé Rapp, a rising pop singer who also played Regina in the Broadway musical, Auliʻi Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey, Janis and Damian’s respective actors, were my personal favorites from the movie’s soundtrack. Avantika’s singing skills also surprised me with her solo song “Sexy.” I think Sabrina Carpenter, who played Cady Heron in the Broadway musical, would’ve been a better choice to play Heron in this musical. This rendition also begs the question of whether Janis and Damian serve as the main characters or was Cady Heron just easily overshadowed due to her poor acting and singing skills. Janis and Damian seem to serve as the main narrators of events in this rendition, instead of Cady’s voice-over narrating the events. Cravalho and Spivey are also much better singers than Rice. Even Janis’ solo song “I’d Rather Be Me” overshadows the moment when Regina George is run over by a bus.
Another important detail you will notice is the modernization of the film. Damian, for example, stated he had been friends with Janis since 2009, which was five years after the original movie came out. Additionally, the use of smartphones and social media, such as Instagram or TikTok, is made integral to the plot of this rendition of the movie (which makes sense since every high schooler has a phone and some form of social media). There are even TikTok clips where influencer Chris Olsen and rapper Megan Thee Stallion make cameos in the movie.
If you so choose to watch the movie, you will notice that a good number of lines and scenes from the original movie are changed. They either play out differently, occur in a different order or they are removed completely. For example, Karen’s iconic line, “If you’re from Africa, why are you white?” is unfortunately replaced with a lackluster joke instead. Some of the lines that were funny in the original movie were delivered a bit too quickly to be funny in this movie. Another changed scene is one where Regina George meets Janis and Damian after they find her eating lunch in the bathroom, as opposed to meeting each other in homeroom in the original movie. The plot has a few differences as well, as Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvall are now in a romantic relationship and Cady Heron’s mom is a single mom in this rendition of the film.
I found several positive aspects to the movie despite my critiques. One of — if not the most — hilarious parts of the movie is when it seems like Fey is about to break into a song but instead hits a very discordant note. I also like that this movie gives a more detailed backstory behind why Janis and Regina stopped being friends, (which may have involved lighting a backpack on fire) instead of just glossing over it with Janis becoming weirdly obsessed with Regina. Lastly, right before Cady Heron is crowned Spring Fling Queen, she and Regina have a meaningful conversation in the bathroom; a scene deleted from the original movie, which I appreciate being brought back into this version.
In conclusion, I am glad I spent the time watching this musical. There were many highlights and several parts that made me severely cringe, but enough of both to balance them out. I can see why people who both loved and hated this rendition had the opinions they did. I recommend that those who enjoy musicals take the time to see this rendition. But do not go into the movie with the mindset that it will be the same as the 2004 version.
