"Mean Girls" (2024) Review: A Spirited Reboot That Sings a Familiar Tune
The 2024 reboot of "Mean Girls," directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., is a glossy foray into the world of teenage maneuverings, this time with a melodic twist. Following its predecessors—a 2004 film and a stage musical—the latest adaptation attempts to blend familiar teen comedy tropes with the vibrant elements of a musical, under the creative direction of screenplay writer Tina Fey.
At its core, the storyline of "Mean Girls" remains largely untouched by Fey's original screenplay, which speaks volumes about the timeless nature of its themes—popularity, betrayal, and redemption. The high school hierarchy is still dominated by a trio of 'it' girls, known as the Plastics, navigating through the perilous social landscape with a new protagonist at the helm. This time, we have Angourie Rice taking on the lead role, bringing a fresh innocence and wit that makes the journey both endearing and relatable.
The integration of songs adds a dynamic layer to the narrative, allowing for emotional depth and character exploration that dialogue alone might miss. "Revenge Party," a standout number, exemplifies how musical elements can enhance storytelling, providing insight into motivations and internal conflicts with a vibrancy that only music can convey.
Acknowledging the evolution of technology and its impact on teenage dynamics, the film smartly incorporates contemporary digital culture without feeling forced. The digital age’s nuances are woven into the plot, reflecting both the opportunities and the perils that social media brings to high school social life.
The cast, including Reneé Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, and Christopher Briney, deliver performances that are both grounded and exaggerated enough to harmonize with the film’s theatrical nature. Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles add a layer of continuity that fans of the original will appreciate. However, the musical sequences, while energetic and visually engaging, occasionally teeter towards being overproduced, risking the raw energy that characterized the original film.
Critical Reception
The critical response has been mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 70% approval rating and Metacritic offering a more cautious 58 out of 100. This polarization underscores the challenge of remaking a beloved film. While some critics, like Maureen Lee Lenker of Entertainment Weekly, celebrate the rejuvenation of familiar characters with a new cast of promising talents, others, like David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter, critique the adaptation for lacking the nuanced understanding of what made the original a cult classic.
Audience reactions have been similarly mixed, with a CinemaScore of B suggesting that while the film is enjoyable, it may not resonate deeply with all viewers. The new "Mean Girls" does manage to capture the essence of its iconic source material and the addition of musical elements helps in reaching a new generation, but it also struggles at times to justify its existence beyond mere nostalgia.
"Mean Girls" (2024) is a commendable effort at modernizing a classic narrative for today’s audience. It preserves the heart and humor of the original while introducing a musical flair that mostly hits the right notes. While not without its flaws—particularly in how it handles its musical sequences—the film provides a fun, if somewhat surface-level, experience. It’s a reminder of the enduring appeal of Tina Fey’s sharp-witted take on high school politics and the universal struggle for acceptance and identity. As such, it stands as a vibrant, if not essential, addition to the "Mean Girls" legacy.
